All Hope Is Not Lost: DSWHUB, GIZ and Federal Government Launch Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Programme for Returnees for Sustainable Reintegration

The Denny Social Welfare Hub has launched a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support programme for returning migrants in Nigeria, assuring participants that “all hope is not lost” as government and partners work to help them reintegrate and rebuild their lives.

Speaking at the commencement of the programme, Sw. Abosede Mary Otukpe MISHD Executive Director of Denny Social Welfare Hub DSWHUB said the initiative is part of the global Centre for Migration and Development, ZME, commissioned by the German Government, BMZ, and implemented by GIZ.

In Nigeria, the work is carried out in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment through the Migrant Resource Centres, MRC, and the Nigerian-German Centre for Jobs, Migration and Reintegration, NGC. “The goal is simply to help returning migrants and others reintegrate, find work, and rebuild their lives on a lasting basis.

“Denny Social Welfare Hub is privileged to be trusted to deliver this Mental Health and Psychosocial Support programme as part of that wider effort, walking with you, and making sure your wellbeing and your needs as returnees are truly cared for,” she said.

The Hub emphasized that the programme is voluntary and confidential. Participants were assured of privacy and choice throughout the sessions. “This is your space. Taking part is completely your choice, you can pause, rest, or step out at any time, and you never have to talk or do anything you are not comfortable with. Sitting and listening is completely fine.

“Everything here is private. What you share stays within our team, and nothing about who is here today will be shared or posted anywhere. No photographs will be taken of you without your permission. There is no pressure here at all — you move at your own pace.”

The professional team supporting the programme includes Ms Judith Gbadebo, a clinical psychologist; Director Sw. Abosede Otukpe; facilitator Mrs Busayo Idehen; and peer support mentor Mr Michael Ikechukwu Jr. of the VOMA team.

Gbadebo explained that the psychological work would begin with assessment to identify individual needs. “There are so many things that come up with such experiences as yours. And the emotional aspect cannot be neglected. That is the reason why I am here.

“Just like I can’t practically give you paracetamol without knowing what your needs are. So assessment will help us know, okay, this person needs to talk in this way, that person needs this kind of support,” she said.

She added that the programme is intentional and brings together different professionals to address various aspects of returnees’ wellbeing.

Representatives from the Migrant Resource Centre, Mrs Juliet Nkoyo and Mrs Yetunde Adeniji, also addressed the participants.

Juliet Nkoyo of the MRC, a unit under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, explained the Centre’s mandate. “All we do essentially is that we give migration advice and we also link our job seekers with employers. We have a platform where we do job matching, job placement. Job seekers drop their CV, their resume, employers can also drop their vacancies on that platform.

“We also do reintegration services in partnership with German Government, the GIZ. So what we do essentially is give information to potential migrants, community members and returned migrants.”

She noted that government alone cannot do it and works with agencies like NAPTIP, Immigration and NAICOM, each with different functions. “On what the government has for the returnees, government alone cannot do it alone. Different ministries, different agencies work with the federal government to carry out the mandate and assistance to all these people,” Nkoyo stated.

Her message to returnees was one of hope: “They are welcome back home. All hope is not lost. The government is ready to assist them, just be patient with the government. It may not be at the snap of the fingers but definitely they will be very happy at the end of the day.”

Mr Michael Ikechukwu Jr., a voiceover artist and mental health psychosocial support mentor with MMSP for the United Nations, said his role is peer-to-peer mentoring. As a returned migrant himself, brought back by the International Organization for Migration, he said he understands the journey. “I am actually here to offer mental health psychosocial support, PSS session for the returned migrant. More like peer to peer mentor where I have to create a safe space for them to feel free, build trust, having gone that route,” he said.

The Hub also welcomed Mrs Chisom Nnodu from GIZ, who is supporting the programme.

The Denny Social Welfare Hub programme underscores the importance of addressing both the economic and emotional needs of returning migrants as Nigeria strengthens reintegration efforts with international partners.