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“We Just Wanted a Better Life” 104 Nigerians Return from Algeria After Rough Journey Abroad

For 104 Nigerians, Sunday night marked more than just a flight home , it was a second chance at life.

After battling harsh conditions, fear, and broken promises in Algeria, these returnees including 80 men, 14 women, and 10 children finally landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, weary but relieved.

Their stories are similar: dreams of greener pastures across the border, only to face unpaid jobs, cramped shelters, detention, and constant fear of deportation. Some were stranded for months. Others hadn’t spoken to their families in over a year.

> “I just wanted to work and send money home. I never imagined it would be like this,” one returnee said with tears in his eyes.


Thanks to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the group was brought home under a voluntary return program that helps stranded migrants escape unsafe conditions abroad.

They were welcomed with medical care, food, and temporary shelter—but the bigger journey is just beginning: rebuilding their lives from the ground up.

Ibrahim Farinloye, NEMA’s Lagos coordinator, called it a “timely rescue” and urged others planning to migrate to avoid dangerous backdoor routes and seek legal, informed options.

> “They left chasing dreams but returned chasing survival,” he said. “Now it’s time to help them find new hope here at home.”



With over 70 million Nigerians already living in poverty, the government says it’s working on reintegration programs and job support to help returnees restart.

For these 104 Nigerians, it’s not just about coming back ;it’s about starting over.

“The Pressure to Have It All Together Is Affecting Your Health — Here’s How”


Lately, have you felt constantly drained, on edge, or like you're always “on” even when your body just wants to rest? You’re not alone. Many of us live under the silent pressure to keep everything together—at work, at home, in our relationships—often at the expense of our own well-being. The truth is, this pressure doesn’t just affect your mood.

Mental Load = Physical Stress
When your brain is juggling 10 things at once—deadlines, family responsibilities, unread messages it’s in a near-constant state of alert. This mental load can lead to chronic stress, which in turn affects your sleep, digestion, immune system, and heart health. You might think you're just tired, but your body is actually reacting to emotional strain.


You're Probably Not Lazy You’re Burnt Out
If you've been waking up exhausted or struggling to concentrate, there's a chance you're not just being “lazy” or “unmotivated.” These can be signs of burnout or mental fatigue. Burnout is now recognized as a legitimate health condition by the World Health Organization—it’s your brain's way of saying “enough.”



The Hidden Toll of Suppressing Emotions
Burying your feelings to appear strong or “fine” can lead to somatic symptoms—things like tension headaches, stomach discomfort, body aches, or even high blood pressure. Emotional health is deeply tied to physical health, and ignoring one often disrupts the other.


Social Media Can Make It Worse
We see highlight reels of other people’s lives, and without realizing it, we compare. But comparison is a silent stressor. It can heighten anxiety, lower self-esteem, and fuel the pressure to appear put-together even when you’re falling apart inside.



Let’s Normalize Taking a Step Back
Your mind and body were not designed to be in overdrive all the time. Taking breaks, saying “no,” and getting support whether it’s from a friend or a therapist isn’t a luxury. It’s healthcare. Mental health is not something extra. It’s part of your total health.


Final Thought
You’re allowed to not be okay sometimes. And you don’t need to hit a crisis point to take care of yourself. Pay attention to your body’s signals. Exhaustion, mood swings, poor sleep, and frequent illnesses could all be signs that you’re doing too much. You matter—and so does your health.