German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, has revealed that approximately 14,000 Nigerians living in Germany are at risk of deportation due to a surge in asylum seekers, with many lacking proper identification.
Scholz emphasized that around 12,500 Nigerians currently exist in a state of tolerance in Germany, primarily due to the Nigerian government’s hesitation to accept individuals without the requisite identity documents.
Expressing concerns over the spike in initial asylum claims in 2023, Scholz stated, “Nearly 14,000 Nigerians might be deported, and the great majority of them do not have the necessary identification cards.”
He highlighted Germany’s willingness to collaborate to improve migration issues, noting that those who have conducted themselves well would be welcomed back, while President Tinubu affirmed Nigeria’s readiness to receive individuals who have behaved appropriately.
President Tinubu stated, “Nigeria is prepared to welcome them back ‘as long as they have behaved well,’ but only if they stand to gain something from it.” He suggested reconsidering the provision of 640 million euros in development funding if the collaboration doesn’t yield mutual benefits.
“If someone is a compatriot and has ‘behaved well,’ we are willing to accept them back. We’re prepared to collaborate to enhance migration,” President Tinubu declared.
