The Federal Government has announced the return of another 83 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa amid growing 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 are 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 scheduled to arrive in Lagos at about 8:45pm.
It said the latest evacuation was made possible 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 latest development follows the conclusion of the government’s voluntary repatriation programme, through which nearly 1,490 Nigerians were evacuated 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 added that the administration’s Citizen Diplomacy agenda regarded Nigerians in the diaspora “not as a burden, but as critical assets for national development,” while assuring that their protection and well-being remained a priority.
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,” it said.
The Federal Government urged the organised private sector, corporate organisations, state governments and other well-meaning Nigerians at home and abroad to emulate the initiative and support efforts to respond to consular emergencies.
The ministry further disclosed that the government would continue diplomatic engagements with South Africa to tackle 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 called for broader collaboration to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to protect its citizens abroad.
