1,429 Nigerians repatriated from Niger Republic in May, report shows

A report from the Mixed Migration Centre reveals that at least 1,429 Nigerians were repatriated from Niger Republic in May 2026. This figure underscores Niger's role as a critical transit point for Nigerian citizens undertaking perilous journeys toward Europe, often via Libya and Algeria. The data, part of the Quarterly Mixed Migration Update for West Africa, highlights the continued presence of stranded Nigerian migrants along the Sahel migration corridor.

These repatriations occur amidst Nigeria's broader 'japa' phenomenon, a trend where citizens, largely due to severe economic hardship, seek opportunities abroad. Hundreds of thousands have pursued destinations like the UK, the United States, and Canada through both legal and irregular means. The report cites earlier data from May 2026, where the Nigeria Immigration Service confirmed the arrival of approximately 1,100 Nigerians who had traveled by road from Niger. An additional 329 returnees were received shortly after from Agadez, Niger's primary desert transit hub.

Agadez, situated approximately 950 kilometers northeast of Niger's capital, Niamey, has long been a key staging post for West Africans crossing the Sahara. The Mixed Migration Centre, a Geneva-based research body, noted that the mass return "highlight[s] the continued presence of stranded migrants in Niger, many of whom face prolonged stays in IOM (International Organization for Migration) centres or urban areas with limited resources." Nigerians remain among the nationalities frequently attempting the Central Mediterranean Route to Italy. In May 2026, 163 Nigerians arrived in Italy via this route, a slight decrease from the previous year. The report also points to unrecorded expulsions from Algeria into Niger, with a migrant rights network reporting over 14,600 expulsions between January and May 2026 alone, a significant portion of which, despite official claims of returning Nigerien nationals, increasingly included Nigerians.

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highlight the continued presence of stranded migrants in Niger, many of whom face prolonged stays in IOM (International Organization for Migration) centres or urban areas with limited resources.