The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has evacuated 151 Nigerians from Sudan under its Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) programme.
This is the third flight in 2025, organised to rescue Nigerians stranded by the ongoing war.
Sudan’s Growing Displacement Crisis
Sudan is facing the world’s largest displacement crisis. By late August 2025, nearly 9.8 million people had been uprooted across all 18 states.
Fighting since April 2023 displaced about 7.5 million people inside Sudan and forced another 4.3 million to flee to neighbouring countries.
Most of the displaced come from Khartoum (31%), South Darfur (21%), and North Darfur (20%). Children under 18 account for 53% of all displaced persons.
Nigerians Caught in the Conflict
Many of the evacuated Nigerians had been trapped in Sudan for months. They struggled with insecurity, food shortages, and little access to healthcare.
Among them were students whose studies were interrupted and elderly people who lost their incomes because of the fighting.
Support for Returnees
According to Paola Pace, IOM’s Deputy Chief of Mission in Nigeria, the evacuation marks “a new beginning” for the returnees.
On arrival, they receive medical checks, psychosocial counselling, temporary shelter, meals, and vocational training to help them restart their lives.
Coordinated Humanitarian Action
The evacuation was carried out with support from Sudanese immigration authorities and the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan, which helped identify and document stranded citizens.
IOM stressed that all returns are safe, voluntary, and dignified, in line with international standards.
Call for More Global Support
Sudan’s war has created an unprecedented migration emergency. IOM’s ongoing flights highlight the urgent need for international assistance to protect vulnerable migrants and provide pathways to recovery.
