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Hardship Forced Nigerian Migrants’ Return – NBS
A recent study by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that hardship is the leading reason why Nigerian migrants abroad return home, accounting for 47.9 per cent of the returnees.
This is contained in the “Awareness and Perception of Intending and Returned Migrants on the Dangers of Irregular Migration 20223 survey report released in Abuja, yesterday.
The NBS said a total of 2,400 households were sampled from six purposive states from each of the six geopolitical zones.
They are: Anambra (South East), Edo (South South), Lagos, (South West) Benue, (North Central) Gombe, (North East) and Kano (North West).
The bureau said the purpose of the study was to collect data and provide evidence on the awareness and perception of intending and returned migrants and raise awareness on the dangers of irregular migration.
“It study also seeks to highlight government efforts towards combating the prevalence of irregular migration in Nigeria.
“This evidence is expected to provide a database for policy formulation in line
with the increasing demand for data-driven human development initiatives” the report said.
The NBS said the 2022 migration survey expanded its focus to cover the two other vulnerable groups namely, Almajiris and House Helps.
“Key findings from the report showed that the average age of the respondents is 27 years, about 60.1 per cent of them are from the urban area and 51.8 per cent have attended secondary education”, it showed.
The study further showed that about 24.9 per cent of the respondents indicated engaging in business as the reason for traveling abroad, followed by 22.6 per cent whom said they went there to work.
Those who said they left for ‘greener pasture’ make up 21.4 per cent of the respondents.
However, the report revealed that a majority of the respondents, 48 per cent, said hardship forced them to return home. They followed by deceit at 20.1 per cent.
“This was followed by “no papers at 16.4 per cent”; `no job` at 13.8 per cent, and `crime` at 1.7 per cent. “
The study showed that Kano state recorded the highest number of returnees from abroad at 39 per cent, followed by Lagos at 20.7 per cent.
“This was followed by Edo at 16.7 per cent, Anambra at 11 per cent, Gombe at 8.7 per cent, and Benue at 3.9 per cent “, the report said.
The survey showed that 31.8 per cent said detention was the climax of their suffering in the course of their stay abroad. They are followed by 30.8 per cent who pointed at hunger.
The report said “deportation accounted for 15 per cent, slavery/forced labour at 12.1 per cent, and sexual abuse at 7.5 per cent. “
It showed that Edo state recorded 52.4 per cent of returned migrants who would want to travel back in spite of the risk involved.
“This was followed by Lagos at 14.29 per cent, Anmabra at 12.70 per cent, and Benue and Kano at 1.59 per cent. “
On returned migrants and the sources of assistance upon return, the study revealed that philanthropists constituted the majority of sources of relief with 24.8 per cent of assistance to returnees.
This was followed by Federal Government at 21.5 per cent, international organisations at 19 per cent, Non-Governmental Organisations at 15.7 per cent, and state government at 12.4 per cent.
“On the contrary, Civil Society Organisations recorded less than one per cent
of support to the returned migrants”, the report said.
The study revealed that 68.2 per cent of rural households and 31.8 per cent of urban households send their children or wards to Almajiri.
The survey showed that 98.6 per cent of the households interviewed sent their children or wards to Almajiranci to acquire Quranic education and religious morals.
“While those that sent their children because it is free of charge and those that see it as a religious obligation had 0.7 per cent each”, the NBS report said.
The study also showed that 47.7 per cent of the households who give out their members as house help do so because of hardship.
The NBS said the data was collected through National Integrated Survey for Households (NISH) which provides direct interactions with eligible respondents at the households using questionnaires.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.