In a bold move, the Swedish government has announced a substantial increase in grants for immigrants who voluntarily return to their home countries. Starting from 2026, eligible individuals can receive up to 350,000 Swedish kronor ($34,000), a significant jump from the current 10,000 kronor. This development presents an attractive opportunity for Nigerians living in Sweden to return home with financial support.
The grant, equivalent to approximately N55,930,000 in Nigerian currency, aims to incentivize voluntary return and alleviate the challenges associated with immigration. Sweden has struggled to integrate immigrants, despite taking in a large number since the 1990s, mostly from conflict-ridden countries.
Migration Minister Johan Forssell stated, “We are in the midst of a paradigm shift in our migration policy.” The right-wing government, supported by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, aims to encourage more migrants to leave the country.
Currently, immigrants can receive up to 10,000 kronor per adult and 5,000 kronor per child, with a cap of 40,000 kronor per family. However, the grant has been relatively unknown and underutilized due to its small size.
Despite concerns about effectiveness and potential costs, Conservative Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson remains committed to addressing immigration and crime, a key promise during his 2022 campaign. For Nigerians living in Sweden, this grant presents a potential opportunity to return home and resettle with financial support.
