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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Türkiye Ambassador to Nigeria Mehmet Poroy has reported a sharp drop in the number of irregular Nigerian migrants in Türkiye, saying the figure has fallen from about 9,000 to fewer than 5,000.
In a statement issued by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the envoy disclosed this during a strategic meeting on Wednesday in Abuja with the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Secretary to the Commission, Sule Yakubu Bassi, and members of the Turkish delegation.
He explained that before he assumed duty in Nigeria, the country ranked fourth among those with the highest number of irregular migrants in Türkiye but has now fallen out of the top six, a development he credited to closer co-operation between Abuja and Ankara.
“Prior to my assumption of office, Nigeria ranked fourth among countries with the highest number of irregular migrants in Türkiye,” he said, noting that the country “has since fallen out of the top six”, which he attributed to improved collaboration between both nations.
The envoy also provided fresh data on Nigerians studying in the region, revealing that “4,600 Nigerian students are officially registered in Türkiye, while an additional 3,700 Nigerian students are currently studying in Northern Cyprus.”
He further highlighted a previously recurring challenge involving forged Schengen visas and falsified travel documents, praising Nigerian authorities for working with their Turkish counterparts to curb the trend.
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The ambassador “highlighted a previously recurring challenge involving the forgery of Schengen visas and falsified travel documents, commending the Nigerian Embassy for its collaboration, which has resulted in a drastic reduction in such incidents.”
Poroy said the main purpose of his visit was to formally present a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) of the Republic of Türkiye, and NiDCOM.
According to him, the agreement is designed to promote a “mutually beneficial economic partnership”, with prospects for increased investment, enhanced technical co-operation and job creation.
Poroy further reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening bilateral economic relations.
In her remarks, NiDCOM CEO Abike Dabiri-Erewa reiterated the importance of sustained collaboration in tackling the challenge of illegal migration involving Nigerians in Türkiye.
She noted that the proposed MoU would be finalised between NiDCOM and the Turkish Embassy to ensure “prompt execution and tangible outcomes.”
