The Federal Government has announced the evacuation of another 83 Nigerians from South Africa, with the returnees scheduled to arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos on August 19, 2026.
According to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the batch is traveling aboard a South African Airways flight departing from Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
The latest repatriation effort was made possible through the generous intervention and sponsorship of flight tickets by public-spirited private individuals.
This development follows the official conclusion of the Federal Government’s broader voluntary repatriation programme, which previously safely returned nearly 1,490 Nigerians fleeing mounting anti-foreigner sentiments and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa.
Reaffirming its dedication to citizens abroad, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emphasized that the diaspora remains a critical asset for national development rather than a burden.
The ministry highlighted its ongoing Citizen Diplomacy agenda, which prioritizes the welfare, security, and dignity of Nigerians globally under all circumstances.
Furthermore, the government commended the philanthropists and corporate contributors who supported the latest evacuation, praising their actions as a shining example of a “whole of society approach.”
Authorities called on state governments, corporate organizations, and well-meaning citizens to emulate this private-public collaboration to bolster responses to future consular emergencies.
Meanwhile, these events coincide with heightened regional tensions as South Africa’s anti-immigration group, March and March, staged a protest outside the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit in Durban.
The hardline group issued a fresh ultimatum demanding that all undocumented foreigners leave the country or face a massive wave of deportations by a new September 30 deadline.
In response to the growing climate of friction, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa strongly condemned discrimination and violence against foreign nationals during the summit.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Nigeria will continue deepening strategic diplomatic partnerships with South Africa to address the root causes of xenophobia, ensure accountability for perpetrators, and protect the lives and properties of Nigerians.
