The European Union has earmarked €16 million to support migration-related programmes in Nigeria, including the reintegration of returning migrants, as part of its broader €290 million funding package.
The development follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to the United Kingdom, where Nigeria reached an agreement with UK authorities to facilitate the expedited return of Nigerians without legal status.
According to the EU, the funding will support reintegration programmes for returning migrants, particularly Nigerians coming back through voluntary return arrangements, as well as collaboration with Nigerian authorities on migration management.
While Nigerian authorities have indicated that return agreements with the UK apply to Nigerian nationals, the EU framework does not clearly define the full scope of beneficiaries under the migration programme.
In similar arrangements, reintegration support has sometimes extended beyond citizens to include non-nationals within host countries. This has left open the possibility that foreign migrants present in Nigeria could also fall within the scope of support, although no explicit confirmation was provided.
The EU stated that the funding will also support cooperation with Nigerian authorities in addressing irregular migration and related challenges.
However, no detailed implementation framework, eligibility criteria, or timelines were included in the announcement.
