The Federal Government has announced the planned arrival of another batch of 83 Nigerian nationals evacuated from South Africa amid rising Afrophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments in the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Monday and signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the returnees were expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
According to the ministry, the returnees will depart Oliver Tambo Airport, Johannesburg, at 3:35pm local time aboard South African Airways and are expected to arrive in Lagos at approximately 8:45pm the same day.
The ministry said the latest evacuation was facilitated through the intervention and sponsorship of air tickets by public-spirited private individuals.
“The Ministry wishes to note that this latest cohort of returnees is facilitated through the kind intervention and sponsorship of tickets by public-spirited private individuals, whose generosity the Federal Government acknowledges with profound gratitude,” the statement said.
The development followed the conclusion of the government’s voluntary repatriation programme, under which nearly 1,490 Nigerians were repatriated from South Africa amid concerns over attacks and discrimination against foreigners.
The ministry said the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, remained committed to protecting the welfare and dignity of Nigerians at home and abroad.
It said the government’s Citizen Diplomacy agenda viewed Nigerians in the diaspora “not as a burden, but as critical assets for national development,” adding that it was committed to ensuring their protection and well-being.
The ministry also commended the private individuals and philanthropists who supported the latest evacuation, describing their intervention as an example of the “whole-of-society approach” being promoted by the government.
“The Ministry commends their patriotism and selflessness, which have significantly alleviated the plight of our compatriots in South Africa,” the statement said.
The FG called on the organised private sector, corporate organisations, state governments and other well-meaning Nigerians at home and abroad to emulate the initiative and support government efforts to respond to consular emergencies.
The ministry further said the government would continue to strengthen diplomatic engagement with South Africa to address the root causes of Afrophobia and prevent attacks and discrimination against Nigerians.
“The government remains committed to deepening strategic partnerships with host nations, including South Africa, to address the root causes of Afrophobia and ensure that such acts of violence and discrimination against Nigerians are prevented and are strongly condemned when they occur, including holding perpetrators of such violence to account,” it stated.
The ministry expressed appreciation to the private sponsors for their support and urged broader collaboration to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to protect its citizens abroad.
