Mujeeb Akindoyin
The Federal Government has announced plans to evacuate another 83 Nigerians from South Africa amid renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks, Afrophobia and discrimination against foreigners in the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Monday 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 Nigerians will depart Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, at 3:35pm local time aboard South African Airways and are expected to arrive in Lagos at about 8:45pm.
The latest evacuation comes after the conclusion of the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme, under which nearly 1,490 Nigerians were brought back from South Africa amid concerns over attacks and discrimination targeting foreigners.
The ministry said the evacuation of the latest batch was made possible through the intervention of private individuals who sponsored the air tickets for the returnees.
It expressed appreciation to the sponsors, describing their intervention as a demonstration of a broader “whole-of-society approach” to addressing consular emergencies involving Nigerians abroad.
“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 government called on corporate organisations, the organised private sector, state governments and other well-meaning Nigerians to support efforts aimed at assisting citizens caught up in emergencies outside the country.
The ministry said the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, remained committed to protecting the welfare and dignity of Nigerians both at home and abroad.
It added that its Citizen Diplomacy agenda regarded Nigerians in the diaspora as “critical assets for national development” rather than a burden.
Beyond the evacuation exercise, the ministry said Nigeria would continue diplomatic engagements with South Africa to tackle the underlying causes of Afrophobia and prevent further attacks and discriminatory treatment of 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 latest development underscores the continuing diplomatic and consular challenges faced by Nigerians living and working in South Africa, where attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments have periodically triggered concerns in Nigeria.
The Federal Government said it would continue to strengthen its capacity to respond to emergencies involving Nigerians abroad while working with host governments to safeguard their lives, dignity and legitimate interests.
It also urged Nigerians in the diaspora to remain vigilant and make use of available diplomatic channels whenever their safety or rights are threatened.
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