Transforming Reintegration Through Entrepreneurship: The Impact of the SIYB Programme for Returned Migrants (March – December 2025)
- Jun 27
- 4 min read
Entrepreneurship remains one of the most sustainable pathways to successful reintegration. Between March and December 2025, Patriotic Citizen Initiatives (PCI), with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) under the European Union-funded Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration in Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA) Programme, successfully implemented the Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) programme for returned migrants across Nigeria. The initiative strengthened entrepreneurship capacities, promoted sustainable livelihoods and reinforced long-term economic reintegration while simultaneously building the technical capacity of IOM's local implementing partners to deliver internationally certified SIYB training.
The SIYB programme, developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO), equips entrepreneurs with practical business management skills required to start, improve, expand and sustain viable enterprises. Through its globally recognized multiplier model involving Master Trainers, Certified Trainers and Entrepreneurs, SIYB has trained over 6 million entrepreneurs worldwide through more than 17,000 certified trainers, making it one of the world's leading entrepreneurship development programmes.
As the implementing partner, PCI coordinated the delivery of the SIYB programme across multiple states in Nigeria, working closely with IOM and other local partners to ensure high-quality entrepreneurship training for returned migrants. During the implementation period, 2,005 returned migrants successfully completed the programme, comprising 1,003 female participants (50.02%) and 1,002 male participants (49.98%). In addition, 26 trainers from IOM partner organizations were trained and strengthened as SIYB facilitators, including 14 female trainers (53.8%) and 12 male trainers (46.2%), contributing to a sustainable pool of nationally certified trainers.
The programme covered all four internationally recognized SIYB modules - Generate Your Business Idea (GYBI), Start Your Business (SYB), Improve Your Business (IYB) and Digitalize Your Business (DYB) - using highly interactive business simulations and practical exercises that enabled participants to immediately apply newly acquired knowledge to their enterprises.
To assess programme effectiveness, PCI conducted a comprehensive impact assessment using the SIYB Global Client Assessment Questionnaire, adapted into a digital Google Form, alongside Key Informant Interviews (KII) with trainers and IOM staff. Of the 2,005 entrepreneurs trained, 427 participants completed the survey, representing a 21.3% response rate, while 15 certified trainers participated in the KII assessment.
The findings demonstrate that the programme delivered significant improvements in entrepreneurship capacity and sustainable reintegration outcomes.
Among survey respondents, 53.2% indicated that they did not own any business before participating in the SIYB training. Following the programme, 82.2% confirmed that they had successfully started new businesses or significantly improved existing enterprises, while 85.9% stated that the SIYB training contributed directly to the growth and development of their businesses.
Participant satisfaction was exceptionally high. 64.9% rated the overall quality of the SIYB training as Excellent, 25.5% rated it Very Good, while 8.9% considered it Good, reflecting the quality of PCI's programme coordination and delivery in partnership with IOM.
The professionalism of the trainers also received outstanding recognition. 56.4% of respondents rated the trainers' competence as Excellent, while 31.4% rated their facilitation skills as Very Good, demonstrating the effectiveness of PCI's trainer development approach and the quality of the SIYB certification process.
Key Informant Interviews further confirmed that the programme strengthened the professional capacity of trainers. Participants reported improved facilitation skills, stronger communication techniques, enhanced public speaking abilities and increased opportunities for consultancy and training assignments. Every trainer interviewed acknowledged that participation in the SIYB programme had positively contributed to their professional growth and created additional income-generating opportunities through consultancy engagements.
The programme also generated measurable economic outcomes. 362 respondents (84.8%) reported successfully establishing new businesses or expanding existing enterprises after completing the training. Furthermore, 148 participants (34.7%) experienced noticeable improvements in their personal income, while many newly established businesses created additional employment opportunities within their communities. All 26 trainers equally confirmed that SIYB consultancy opportunities had improved their financial standing.
Beyond the statistics, the programme transformed lives. Ibrahim Shuaibu Danwakili from Kano described how the SIYB training provided him with the knowledge, confidence and business skills needed to successfully invest his reintegration support and build a thriving enterprise. Abubakar Aliyu Abubakar reported increasing his poultry sales from 50–70 chickens per month before the training to 250–300 chickens per month after applying the business planning and customer development techniques learned through SIYB. Other beneficiaries highlighted how the programme fundamentally transformed their business mindset, improved costing practices, strengthened customer relationships and gave them the confidence to become successful entrepreneurs.
The impact assessment concludes that the programme created a powerful multiplier effect by strengthening both entrepreneurship and institutional capacity. Through PCI's coordination and implementation, 26 certified trainers were empowered to transfer internationally recognized business development knowledge to 2,005 returned migrants, significantly contributing to sustainable reintegration, economic empowerment and local economic development. The finding that 84.8% of survey respondents successfully established or expanded businesses demonstrates the effectiveness of the SIYB approach and highlights the opportunity to scale similar interventions within future reintegration programming.
PCI remains committed to promoting sustainable reintegration through entrepreneurship, enterprise development and economic empowerment. Working closely with IOM, the European Union and other strategic partners, PCI will continue to implement innovative livelihood programmes that restore dignity, create sustainable businesses and build resilient communities across Nigeria.
Access the SIYB 2025 Impact Survey
Google Forms (Participant Survey):https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1h-1n5t4MEIes4iviyLPEFYCw4CSxXRu7vMLxsoW0VUA/edit
