The Turkish government has introduced a support programme to assist irregular Nigerian migrants who wish to voluntarily return to their country.

The support, Türkiye’s Head of Department for Removal Affairs in the Presidency of Migration Manager, Hunkar Burkan Ibin, said, depends on what the returnees want to do and also the economic realities in Nigeria.

A delegation of the Turkish Diaspora Community announced this during a visit to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) office in Abuja.

The Turkish Diaspora Community delegation said anyone forcefully removed would not enjoy the benefits.

Burkan Ibin also said people with criminal records were exempted from the initiative.

The Turkish delegation also announced that there were about 2,600 Nigerians studying in Turkiye.

Burkan Ibin noted that the visit to Nigeria was meant to sign an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on migration management, especially in the area of voluntary return.

said: “Historically, the relationship between Nigeria and Turkiye has always been great, but currently also, either it is economic or politics or migration, the relationship is really well. “With this visit, we hope to take this relationship to the next level. That’s why we came with a very crowded delegation, and we came to visit you.

“We are willing to sign an MoU between Nigeria and Turkiye regarding voluntary return and reintegration of Nigerian citizens in Turkiye. The draft MoU has been already shared with the government.

“We are willing to support those Nigerians who want to return voluntarily from Turkiye to Nigeria. We want to facilitate their voluntary return, and once they return to Nigeria, we want to help them, assist them to reintegrate into the economy and society of Nigeria again.

“Of course, we see if the person doesn’t have a crime or, let’s say, involvement in a terror organisation, that would be a separate case.”

He added: “From a statistics perspective, we don’t have a lot of Nigerians in our country. But it’s more about the system than the numbers. Even if there is one, we want to help this friend to voluntarily return. And once they return, they reintegrate into the socio-economic life back in Nigeria.

“The type of assistance we will provide will be more determined after our visit. This is because, in consultation with you and with your guidance, in accordance with the Nigerian economy, the needs here, we will try to understand it. “Our objective is that once a Nigerian citizen returns, we want to consider that as a sampling that we just planted and for the first time, water it. Because after that, it has to grow and integrate into the socio-economic life here and continue from there.”

Baring his mind on what awaits those who might refuse the voluntary option, Burkan Ibin said: “But once an irregular migrant without proper documents is apprehended by law enforcement, they are first taken to removal centres or administrative detention centres. And from there, we contact the Nigerian Embassy for a travel document.

“And we have a really good relationship with the Embassy of Nigeria in Turkiye. Once the travel document is arranged, we remove them, we force removal or deportations. “But if we do, if we follow this procedure, then they lose the chance to get the assistance we provide for their reintegration. So, that’s what we are trying to resolve.

“But most importantly, we want to establish a system in Nigeria with local partners here to support once they return, to make their return sustainable,” he added.

NiDCOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa praised the Turkiye authorities for deepening the relationship between both countries.

She assured the delegation that the commission would embark on an enlightenment campaign to let Nigerians in Turkiye know about the initiative.

She said: “So, we will embark on an awareness campaign, informing every Nigerian in Turkiye about this voluntary assisted return and reintegration. And when they come back, Nigeria will also not give them the red light.”

The NiDCOM chief executive also appealed to Nigerians living in Turkiye without proper documentation to take advantage of the initiative.

She said: “Our role is very simple: to inform Nigerians in Turkiye, if you’re an irregular migrant, you’re not living in that country with your proper documentation, take advantage of this voluntary return assistance and reintegration.

“So, we discourage irregular migration. The world is getting tougher. Everywhere in the world is getting tougher and more dangerous. Even regular migrants are having challenges, talk more of irregular migrants,” she added.

Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa promised that the commission would build a bridge between Turkiye and the returnees. (The Nation)