Meloni's post-fascist Brothers of Italy party was elected largely on a promise to reduce mass migration
AFP

Vice President Kashim Shettima revealed Monday that Nigeria has brought back about 10,000 citizens detained for various migration offenses in Europe and America in 2024 alone.

During the 10th Annual National Migration Dialogue, held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, he also praised the significant contributions of Nigerian immigrants to the global economy, highlighting that the country led West Africa in diaspora remittances.

Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communication Stanley Nkwocha shared the details of the event -- themed "Beyond Borders: Celebrating Migrants' Legacy, Protecting Their Rights" -- in a statement on X.

Shettima highlighted that Nigerian migrants have become global ambassadors, excelling in fields such as technology, medicine, sports, and creative arts, in addition to sending remittances back home.

He pointed out that Nigeria was both a source and a destination for migrants, with over 1.3 million international migrants living in the country. However, he emphasized the ongoing issue of irregular migration.

Shettima noted that in 2024, Nigeria had already brought back and reintegrated at least 10,000 citizens who had been detained for immigration offenses in African and European countries.

The vice president stressed the vulnerabilities associated with migration and called for coordinated efforts to address these challenges while also leveraging migration to support economic growth and resilience.

In 2022, Nigeria received $21.9 billion in remittances from its diaspora, making up 64% of all remittances in West Africa. This highlighted the huge economic impact of Nigerian migrants.

Beyond financial contributions, Nigerian migrants have become leaders in fields like technology, medicine, sports, and the creative arts. Startups founded by Nigerian migrants have attracted over $800 million in investments in 2022, demonstrating their global influence.

Shettima noted that while the Annual National Migration Dialogue coincided with International Migrants Day, the theme of the dialogue encouraged reflection on both the positive impact of migration and the importance of protecting the rights of migrants.

Earlier this year, at the United Nations General Assembly, President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria's support for the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, a framework aimed at making migration beneficial for all while protecting migrants' rights.

Read more