Financial Incentives Offered for Nigerian Refugees who Return from Cameroon
The governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, said any family willing to return to Nigeria voluntarily will receive ₦500,000, while single people, regardless of gender, will receive ₦100,000 each to support their reintegration.
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9 Dec 2025
A large number of Nigerian refugees living in the Minawao camp in Cameroon’s Far Northregion have shown a willingness to return to Nigeria after being away for several years. The camp, which has been in operation since 2014, currently housesover 70,000 refugees. Many of these individuals feel that the circumstances have improved enough for them to go back to their hometowns.
The refugees expressed their plan to return home on Sunday, Dec. 7, during a visitby the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum. During the visit, Zulum stated that his purpose was to listen to his fellow citizens’ concerns and to share information about the measures the government has implemented to support their return.
He disclosed to journalists that any family willing to return to Nigeria voluntarily will receive ₦500,000, while single people, regardless of gender, will receive ₦100,000 each to support their reintegration.
For Nigerian refugees who choose to remain in the Minawao camp, the governor has committed to enhancing their living conditions while honouring their voluntary decision.
Established during the security crisis caused by the Boko Haram terrorism, the Minawao camp was initially designed to accommodate 20,000 people. However, more than ten years later, the camp’s population has quadrupled, placing significant strain on its infrastructure and humanitarian services.
The return of the Nigerian refugees is within the context of the tripartite accordsigned in March 2017 by Cameroon, Nigeria, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which guarantees voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation in conformity with international standards.
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