Migration Theology and Pastoral Care for Nigerian Christians in the Diaspora: A Study of Returnees in Lagos

This study develops a migration theology framework to inform pastoral care for Nigerian Christians returning to Nigeria after extended residence in diaspora communities, focusing on returnees resettling in Lagos State, South West Nigeria. The growing phenomenon of return migration, driven by economic changes, family obligations, or voluntary repatriation, creates unique pastoral challenges related to re-entry cultural shock, spiritual identity renegotiation, and community reintegration. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, in-depth interviews are conducted with twenty-five returnees who have been back in Nigeria for between one and five years, drawn from churches in Lagos Island, Ikeja, and Lekki. Interviews explore their spiritual experiences abroad, the ways their faith was challenged or deepened in diaspora, and the pastoral support received or needed upon return. Findings indicate that returnees frequently experience a dissonance between their diaspora-shaped theological perspectives and the church cultures they encounter in Nigeria, including attitudes toward prosperity theology, church authority, and gender roles. Pastoral support upon return is largely absent or inadequate. The study proposes a five-component migration pastoral care framework covering welcome, listening, reintegration counselling, theological accompaniment, and community bridge-building. Keywords: migration theology, diaspora, pastoral care, returnees, Lagos State