In a high-level meeting between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in Abuja on Tuesday, it was revealed that no fewer than 14,000 Nigerians residing in Germany may face deportation due to a surge in asylum seekers, many of whom lack proper identification.
Chancellor Scholz expressed his concerns about the growing number of Nigerians seeking asylum in Germany in 2023, noting that the majority of them do not possess the necessary identification cards.
Approximately 12,500 Nigerians in Germany are currently in a precarious situation due to the Nigerian government’s reluctance to accept individuals without proper identity documents.
“The current spike in Nigerians filing initial asylum claims in 2023 has sparked worries. Nearly 14,000 Nigerians might be deported, and the great majority of them do not have the necessary identification cards,” Chancellor Scholz stated during the meeting.
Germany is now exploring collaboration with Nigeria to address the migration issue. Chancellor Scholz emphasized that Germany is willing to repatriate any Nigerian national who has demonstrated good behavior during their stay in the country.
In response, President Bola Tinubu acknowledged the potential for cooperation to resolve the deportation issue. He assured Chancellor Scholz that Nigeria is open to welcoming back its citizens who have behaved responsibly during their time abroad, but he also stressed the importance of mutual benefits.
“Nigeria is prepared to welcome them back, as long as they have behaved well.but only if they stand to gain something from it. Rather, we ought to cease providing the 640 million euros in development funding,” President Tinubu stated.
President Tinubu reiterated that Nigeria is willing to collaborate with Germany to enhance migration policies and address the challenges posed by the potential deportation of thousands of Nigerians. The two leaders emphasized the need for a constructive dialogue to find a mutually beneficial solution to the issue at hand.
