Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has called for an organised system to support reverse migration, saying that such a policy would build confidence of Nigerians to return from foreign countries.

The Governor noted that some Nigerians who are based abroad are willing to return but still afraid of where to start from, on return.

Otti stated this while receiving the Chief of Mission for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria, Sharon Dimanche.

He said that his administration had plans to collaborate with relevant ministries to provide re-integration support for such returnees.

Otti pointed out that uncertainty of where to start from has made some foreign-based Nigerians to stay back in their countries of residence, explaining that their confidence would be boosted if there was an organized system to receive them.

“Some of them may want to return, but they are afraid of where to even start from,” he said.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eradicating human trafficking and related crimes, and maintained that his government had zero tolerance for any form of criminal activity.

Governor Otti mandated the Secretary to the State government, Professor Kenneth Kalu to provide a temporary office space for the organisation before a permanent office accommodation would be made available.

Earlier, the Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration, Sharon Dimanche said that her organisation is interested in four immediate focus areas, including combating human trafficking, harnessing diaspora potential, supporting returnees through sustainable reintegration, and improving data management for migration governance.

She declared her commitment to work closely with the Abia State government in line with the government’s priorities.

Why some foreign-based Nigerians are afraid to return – Otti