Stranded Nigerians in Libya Battling Mental Health Challenges

Tripoli, Libya — The President of the Nigerian Community in Libya, Mr. Peter Omoregbe, has raised alarm over the dire situation of thousands of Nigerians stranded in the North African country, revealing that many are suffering from severe mental health issues after failed attempts to migrate to Europe.

Omoregbe made this disclosure in response to remarks by the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who recently reported that over 7,000 Nigerians remain stranded in Libya, describing the situation as “deeply troubling” and calling for urgent intervention by the Nigerian government and international agencies.

Speaking in an interview with PUNCH Diaspora Tales, Omoregbe explained that numerous Nigerians are homeless, sleeping on the streets of Tripoli, while others languish in Libyan prisons.

“Many of these individuals became stranded when their plans to migrate to Italy, Spain, and other European countries collapsed,” he said, noting that the tightening of Mediterranean Sea crossings by European and Libyan authorities has made migration nearly impossible.

According to him, the magnitude of the crisis is overwhelming:

“Even five flights cannot evacuate all of them if each plane carries about 500 passengers. Returning home is also a challenge because each stranded person needs about ₦1 million to facilitate their trip back to Nigeria.”

The community leader further revealed that many migrants face exploitation and abuse:

“Some end up working as domestic slaves, regardless of their health condition. Libyans and traffickers, including some Nigerians, force them into hard labor. Poor living conditions make many sick, leading to widespread mental health issues.”

Omoregbe lamented that hundreds of Nigerians now live with psychological disorders, sleeping rough on Tripoli streets without hope. He confirmed that his tenure as community leader ends in August but assured that he has reached out to international organisations to seek urgent assistance.

By Adeola Olaniya | August 23, 2025