The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has successfully coordinated the safe return of 179 Nigerian migrants who were stranded in war-torn Sudan. According to a statement released on Thursday, March 5, 2026, by IOM Senior Communication Assistant Elijah Elaigwu, the returnees arrived at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Tuesday. This operation marks the first organized repatriation of Nigerians from Sudan in 2026 and the fourth such exercise since 2025, highlighting the persistent nature of the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The structural and humanitarian consequence of the ongoing conflict in Sudan has left thousands of migrants facing acute food shortages, limited healthcare, and severe protection risks. The returnees, who traveled from Port Sudan, were assisted under the European Union-backed Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme. IOM Chief of Mission in Port Sudan, Refaat Mohamed, emphasized that the mission was centered on restoring the dignity of individuals who had lived through months of fear and uncertainty.
Analytically, the evacuation process involved a multi-layered support system to ensure the safety and mental well-being of the migrants. Before their departure, the IOM provided comprehensive medical screenings, psychosocial support, and necessary travel documentation. This meticulous preparation was designed to ensure that the return was not only voluntary but conducted under international standards of safety. The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, reiterated that the intervention was driven by the principle that no individual should be left stranded without options during a conflict.
The impact on “National Integration and Post-Conflict Recovery” began immediately upon the migrants’ arrival in Kano. The returnees were received by IOM Nigeria in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS). Beyond immediate health checks and temporary accommodation, the focus has shifted toward long-term reintegration. Sharon Dimanche, IOM Chief of Mission to Nigeria, noted that the true work begins now, as the agency provides the tools and support necessary for these individuals to rebuild their lives in their home communities.
Furthermore, the operation underscores the strength of international diplomatic coordination. The evacuation was a joint effort involving the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan and Sudanese immigration authorities under the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA). Since the outbreak of the Sudanese crisis, the IOM has assisted more than 1,800 Nigerians through various protection and evacuation services, with the European Union serving as the primary donor for these life-saving interventions.
The long-term outlook for Nigerian migrants in the Sahel and North Africa remains complex as regional instabilities persist. However, the success of this 179-person evacuation provides a blueprint for safe migration corridors during active hostilities. As the returnees transition back into Nigerian society, the IOM and its partners remain committed to providing the economic and social scaffolding required to turn a crisis-driven return into a sustainable new beginning.
