From Policy to Reality: Examining the Rippling Effects of Return Migration Governance in Nigeria

In the global effort to address irregular migration, leaders from Africa and Europe collaborate to implement policies aimed at enabling the safe return and reintegration of migrants. Nigeria played a vital role as a regional partner in this effort, as highlighted in the 2015 Valletta Summit. However, challenges faced by returnees, including violence, job scarcity, and limited resources, demonstrate that these policies are not without difficulties. This article examines the expanding return migration industry in Nigeria, its connections to EU border policies, and its socioeconomic and political impacts. Through empirical analysis, the study explores the roles of different actors in facilitating return and reintegration processes, including governmental bodies, intermediaries such as the International Organization for Migration and the lesser known German Society for International Cooperation, and local civil society organizations. The analysis reveals the rippling effects of return and reintegration policies, including the establishment of new industries and services, changes in governance and organizational frameworks, and notable economic and spatial transformations. Key issues examined include the influence of corruption, the role of international organizations like the International Organization for Migration, and the experiences of returnees and local civil society groups. The article concludes by calling for the decolonization of migration governance, enhanced transparency and accountability, and the centering of returnees’ voices and perspectives to develop more equitable and responsive interventions.