Federal Government has announced that another batch of 83 Nigerian citizens will return from South Africa on Wednesday, August 19, as part of ongoing efforts to support nationals affected by anti-foreigner attacks and related challenges in the country.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the returnees are scheduled to depart O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg aboard South African Airways at 3:35 p.m. local time and arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 8:45 p.m.
The disclosure was contained in a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
The ministry said the latest evacuation was made possible through the sponsorship of air tickets by public-spirited private individuals, whose support was acknowledged by the Federal Government.
The return of the 83 Nigerians comes after the conclusion of the government’s voluntary repatriation programme, under which about 1,490 Nigerians were brought home from South Africa following incidents of Afrophobia and growing anti-foreigner sentiments.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians abroad, the ministry stated that the Tinubu administration would continue to protect the interests and dignity of its citizens regardless of where they reside.
It stated: “In line with its Citizen Diplomacy agenda, the government views Nigerians in the diaspora not as a burden, but as critical assets for national development, and is dedicated to ensuring their protection and well-being.”
The ministry also praised the philanthropists and private individuals who contributed to the humanitarian effort, describing their support as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to a “whole of society approach” through public-private collaboration.
It noted that their intervention had eased the hardship faced by many Nigerians in South Africa and encouraged more corporate organisations, state governments, members of the organised private sector and Nigerians both at home and abroad to support similar initiatives.
The statement added: “Our collective efforts will bolster our national capacity to respond to consular emergencies effectively.”
The ministry further assured that the Federal Government would continue working closely with South African authorities and other stakeholders to tackle the underlying causes of Afrophobia and ensure that violence and discrimination against Nigerians are prevented.
It stressed that those responsible for attacks on Nigerians and other foreign nationals must be brought to justice.
