The Federal Government has confirmed that 83 Nigerian nationals will return from South Africa on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, aboard a South African Airways flight.
According to a statement from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the returnees are scheduled to depart Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 3:35pm local time, arriving at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, at approximately 8:45pm.
The repatriation has been facilitated through the sponsorship of public-spirited private individuals, whose generosity the government has acknowledged with gratitude. This follows the conclusion of the official voluntary repatriation programme, which had already seen nearly 1,490 Nigerians return amid escalating Afrophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa.
The ministry reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s unwavering commitment to protecting the welfare and dignity of Nigerians abroad. “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 statement read.
The government extended special appreciation to the philanthropists who supported the humanitarian effort, describing their intervention as a sterling example of the “whole of society approach” and public-private collaboration championed by the administration.
The ministry commended the patriots for alleviating the plight of Nigerians in South Africa and called on the organised private sector, corporate bodies, state governments, and well-meaning citizens to emulate the initiative. “Our collective efforts will bolster our national capacity to respond to consular emergencies effectively,” it added.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with host nations, including South Africa, to address the root causes of Afrophobia. It insisted that acts of violence and discrimination against Nigerians must be prevented and strongly condemned, with perpetrators held accountable.
