A fresh batch of 83 Nigerians is expected to arrive in Lagos on Wednesday as the Federal Government continues the voluntary evacuation of citizens affected by renewed xenophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments in South Africa.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, disclosed the development in a post on her official X account, saying the latest evacuation was funded by a group of public-spirited Nigerians who came together to sponsor the return air tickets of those wishing to leave South Africa.
According to the minister, the returnees were scheduled to depart Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 3:35 p.m. local time and arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
Ojukwu said the Federal Government appreciated the intervention of the private individuals, describing it as an important contribution to the country’s response to the crisis.
She stated: “On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs commends this group of individuals for complementing Government’s efforts and for their ‘whole of society approach’ to addressing this crisis.”
The minister also revealed that the same group had pledged to sponsor another evacuation flight for Nigerians who no longer feel safe in South Africa and have indicated their desire to return home.
She noted that with the latest evacuation, the total number of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa under the government’s voluntary repatriation programme has risen to 1,573, adding that the exercise was prompted by recurring xenophobic attacks and anti-foreigner hostility, during which some Nigerians lost their lives while others were deprived of their property.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare of citizens abroad, Ojukwu said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Citizen Diplomacy agenda.
She urged state governments to play a more active role in supporting stranded Nigerians abroad and those returning home.
According to her: “We therefore call on State Governments to complement Federal Government’s efforts towards ensuring that no citizen at risk abroad is abandoned to an uncertain fate, by assisting in evacuation or in cushioning the difficult process of relocation and resettlement of their returning indigenes.”
The minister disclosed that the evacuees arriving on Wednesday are from Anambra, Ondo, Imo, Oyo, Enugu, Ogun, Abia, Osun, Delta, Kwara and Ekiti states.
She commended the Imo State Government for beginning the disbursement of N1 million each to its returning indigenes, while praising the Abia State Government for approving N1 million each for 31 verified returnees from the state.
Ojukwu also acknowledged the Enugu State Government for its commitment to supporting the evacuation of stranded indigenes.
She appealed to other state governments to emulate the gesture by providing assistance to their citizens returning from South Africa.
The minister further expressed appreciation to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, as well as other groups, for supporting citizens facing consular emergencies abroad.
She concluded her message with a warm reception for the evacuees, saying: “To our returning Nationals, we say, ‘Welcome Home’.
