Across Europe, deportations of Nigerians have risen sharply in recent years. Headlines often focus on numbers, policies, and border enforcement. But rarely do we hear what happens after the plane lands in Lagos.
This episode of The Insight Vodcast goes beyond statistics. It follows the journey home — from forced removals abroad to arrival in Nigeria, where many deportees face trauma, uncertainty, and little institutional support.
Behind every deportation is a human story.
Some are arrested in the middle of the night. Some are placed on flights with little notice. Many return with no money, no plan, and no clear reintegration pathway. The transition is often abrupt and deeply disorienting.
In this edition, we speak with a Germany-based refugee rights activist who regularly meets deported Nigerians at Lagos airport. Their firsthand account sheds light on what happens in those first critical hours — the shock, the confusion, and the immediate need for support.
We also hear from a senior Nigerian government official responsible for migrant affairs. Their perspective outlines official policies and reintegration frameworks. Together, these conversations reveal a significant gap between policy on paper and lived experience on the ground.
This is not simply a migration discussion. It is a conversation about dignity, responsibility, and the meaning of “home” when return is not voluntary.
We invite you to watch the full episode above and reflect on the broader questions it raises: What systems exist to support returnees? Who carries responsibility? And how can policy better reflect human reality?
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