The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has facilitated the voluntary return of 191 Nigerian migrants from southern Libya, including 111 women, through its humanitarian repatriation program.
The group arrived in Lagos on Wednesday under a European Union-funded initiative aimed at protecting vulnerable migrants.
This latest repatriation highlights the ongoing migration crisis stemming from Libya’s instability since the 2011 uprising. The North African nation remains a major transit point for migrants attempting perilous Mediterranean crossings to Europe. The IOM’s Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration program provides returning migrants with transportation, temporary accommodation and reintegration support.
Libyan authorities have repeatedly called for increased international assistance to manage migration flows, citing limited resources to address the complex challenges. The voluntary returns come as European nations seek alternative approaches to irregular migration beyond border enforcement alone.
Since 2015, the IOM has assisted over 60,000 stranded migrants in returning home from Libya through voluntary humanitarian programs. The organization emphasizes that sustainable solutions require addressing root causes of migration while protecting vulnerable people caught in transit.
