Nigeria receives 178 returnees from Tripoli under assisted voluntary program

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has received 178 Nigerian nationals returning from Tripoli, Libya, via the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) Programme. The group, which arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, includes 165 adults, 10 children, and three infants.

Coordinated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Nigerian government, the arrival included biometric registration by the Nigeria Immigration Service and immediate humanitarian aid such as medical screenings, food, and water. The initiative aims to facilitate the safe and dignified reintegration of citizens into their communities.

This movement occurs amid a broader shift in Nigeria toward nationally led humanitarian action. As the United Nations transitions from direct coordination to technical support due to shrinking global budgets, NEMA is increasingly central to humanitarian leadership. Experts note that the success of this transition depends on whether government institutions can maintain the accountability and community feedback mechanisms previously managed by international agencies.