8th November, 2023
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has revealed that his country is set to deport no fewer than 14, 000 Nigerians who have been residing in the country for some time.
This move according to Scholz has seen a significant number of initial asylum applications from Nigerians in 2023, with a comparatively low recognition rate.
Approximately 12,500 Nigerians are in a condition of tolerance in Germany as a result of the Nigerian government’s reluctance to admit people without the necessary identity documents.
Nigeria had long been one of the top 10 countries of origin for German asylum applicants, but recently, the proportion has begun to decline.
But 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.
Nigeria is prepared to welcome them back “as long as they have behaved well,” but only if they stand to gain something from it.
In talks with Nigerian officials, Scholz stressed the importance of working together to resolve the deportation situation.
He underlined that the Nigerian government is ready to allow people to return, especially those who are recognised as fellow citizens and have behaved well.