The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to evacuate 83 Nigerian nationals from South Africa, with their arrival at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos expected on August 19, 2026. According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the returnees will be flying on South African Airways, departing from Oliver Tambo Airport in Johannesburg at 3:35 PM local time and landing in Lagos around 8:45 PM.
This evacuation follows a broader voluntary repatriation program that has already seen nearly 1,490 Nigerians return home due to increasing xenophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments within South Africa.
The Nigerian government expressed appreciation for the support received from private individuals who sponsored the flight tickets for this latest group of returnees. The Ministry emphasized its ongoing commitment to the welfare of Nigerians abroad under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Additionally, the government plans to strengthen partnerships with countries like South Africa to address the underlying causes of xenophobia and to prevent discrimination against its citizens. The Ministry further condemned any acts of violence against Nigerians, asserting that the perpetrators must be held accountable.
In related news, an anti-immigration group in South Africa, March and March, has announced a new deadline of September 30 for undocumented foreigners to leave the country. This announcement comes amidst a backdrop of standard protests calling for stricter immigration enforcement. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned recent discriminatory actions against foreign nationals, urging integration rather than exclusion.
