Victor Ezeja
German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, says the increasing number of Nigerians filing initial asylum claims in his country this year alone raises cause for concern, even as he disclosed that at least 14,000 Nigerians living in Germany are at risk of deportation.
He explained that the development is as a result of an increase in the number of Nigerians seeking asylum, a great number of whom are without identification cards but are Nigerians who have behaved well in their country to benefit Nigeria.
The German Chancellor added that 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.
Scholz, who disclosed this during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja on Tuesday, said: “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.
READ ALSO: Germany To Tackle Insecurity, Infrastructure, Others In ECOWAS With €81m
“We are prepared to collaborate in order to enhance migration,” the statement stated, adding that Germany would be happy to send back any Nigerian national who has behaved well.
In his remarks, Tinubu alluded to the potential for cooperation in order to resolve the matter of deportation, adding that his administration is ready to allow people to return, especially those who are recognised as fellow citizens and have behaved well.
“Nigeria is prepared to welcome them back as long as they have behaved well,” but only if they stand to gain something from it. Rather, we ought to cease providing the 640 million euros in development funding.
“If someone is a compatriot and has ‘behaved well,’ we are willing to accept them back. We’re prepared to collaborate in order to enhance migration,” Tinubu said.
