Learn how ARRIVES can support you and your family’s voluntary return to Nigeria, from initial planning in Germany to reintegration support, job and business coaching, facilitating access to financial assistance, and continued support after arrival.
The first, and sometimes hardest, step is asking for help. ARRIVES begins with a confidential conversation with one of our experienced team members in Germany or Nigeria. This is your opportunity to ask questions, explore your options and understand what support may be available to you and your family.
Conversations with ARRIVES are completely private and confidential. We do not share our conversations with immigration authorities, the police or other enforcement bodies. You can also choose to remain anonymous at this stage.
Nothing you share will affect your residence status or asylum case in Germany. You also do not need to sign up with ARRIVES if you decide it’s not right for you.
We understand that deciding whether to stay in Germany or return to Nigeria can be confusing and stressful.
People who have lived outside of Nigeria for some time often tell us they miss their family, community, language, music, food, everyday life and a sense of belonging. But we know that the thought of returning to Nigeria can also bring worries: How will I support myself financially? What will my friends and family think? Will my community judge me? How difficult will it be to readjust?
We have also supported many people with uncertain residence status in Germany, including Aufenthaltsstatus and Duldung, or people facing deportation—which we know can create further anxiety and distress.
The decision to return voluntarily from Germany to Nigeria is yours. ARRIVES is here to provide you with trusted information, explain your options clearly, and support you to make the decision that is right for you.
If you choose to return, you’ll be assigned a personal ARRIVES coach who will:
Your coach will also connect you with a return counsellor. Return counsellors are professionals who provide confidential, impartial and free advice to people considering leaving Germany voluntarily and help them access financial support.
The return counsellor will assess your situation and advise what funding you may be eligible for to support your return under different available schemes, including:
If you are returning to Nigeria with a partner or children, you may receive additional support depending on your circumstances.
You decide what type of support you’d like to receive from ARRIVES to help you achieve financial stability in Nigeria through one of two pathways.
Option 1: Business pathway - for people who want to start and grow their own business in Nigeria.
ARRIVES provides business coaching and mentoring, support with business planning and market research, guidance on startup costs and operations, and step-by-step support to help get your business started. This includes help to register your new business through our partners, such as the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
We can support you in whatever sector you would like to pursue. Previous ARRIVES participants have set up businesses in solar energy, upholstery, agriculture, fashion, construction and other sectors.
Option 2: Employment pathway - for people looking to find a job with a Nigerian company or organisation.
ARRIVES provides career coaching, skills development support, help with CV writing and interview preparation, and guidance on finding suitable job opportunities in Nigeria.
We partner with a wide range of employers across Nigeria to match our participants with available roles and actively build skilled workforces for Nigerian companies.
When you arrive in Nigeria, you’ll be welcomed by a member of the ARRIVES team and, subject to eligibility, provided with immediate cash support to meet your urgent needs, such as temporary accommodation, a Nigerian SIM card, and travel costs.
We know from experience that being greeted by a friendly and familiar face can make all the difference and help your first few days in Nigeria pass as smoothly as possible.
You will also receive up to 12 months of continued reintegration support from our team, including:
Our aim is to help you achieve financial independence in Nigeria and reconnect with family and community life.
![[Translate to Englisch:] ARRIVES participant, Nonso, smiles as he speaks on the phone.](/fileadmin/redaktion/arrives/Bilder/nonso-arrives-participant-telephone-nigeria-800x533.jpg)
Contact ARRIVES today to explore your options and understand how we can help you make a safe, dignified and informed return to Nigeria.
![[Translate to Englisch:] A woman answers audience questions at an ARRIVES outreach event in Edo state, Nigeria.](/fileadmin/redaktion/arrives/Bilder/nigeria_voluntary_return_outreach_event_edo.jpg)
Find answers to common questions about returning from Germany to Nigeria and the support provided by ARRIVES.
![[Translate to Englisch:] ARRIVES participant, Chris, smiles as he sits in his fashion business that he opened in Nigeria with support from ARRIVES.](/fileadmin/redaktion/arrives/Bilder/chris_arrives_returnee_nigeria_fashion_business.jpg)