The federal government has announced that 83 Nigerians will return to the country from South Africa on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, amid rising Afrophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments in the southern African country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the returnees would arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, at approximately 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday via South African Airways.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the ministry said the returnees were expected to depart Oliver Tambo Airport, Johannesburg, at 3:35 p.m. local time.
The ministry said the latest return of Nigerians was facilitated through the intervention of public-spirited private individuals who sponsored the tickets for the returnees.
“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 follows the earlier conclusion of the federal government’s voluntary repatriation programme, through which nearly 1,490 Nigerian citizens were repatriated from South Africa amid rising Afrophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments.
According to the ministry, the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, remains committed to safeguarding the welfare and dignity of Nigerians at home and abroad as part of its citizen diplomacy agenda.
It said the government considered Nigerians in the diaspora critical assets for national development rather than a burden, stressing its commitment to their protection and well-being.
The ministry also commended the private individuals and philanthropists who supported the latest humanitarian effort, describing their intervention as an example of the “whole of society approach” and public-private collaboration in addressing challenges confronting Nigerians abroad. It urged the organised private sector, corporate organisations, state governments and other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture.
The Federal Government, the ministry added, would continue to deepen strategic partnerships with host countries, including South Africa, to address the root causes of Afrophobia and ensure that violence and discrimination against Nigerians were prevented and strongly condemned when they occurred, including efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.
“The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, remains unwavering in its commitment to safeguard the welfare and dignity of all Nigerians at home and 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 andburden but is dedicated to ensuring their protection and well-being.
“The Ministry extends special appreciation to the private individuals and philanthropists who have stepped forward to assist in this humanitarian effort. Their action is a sterling example of the “whole of society approach”, public-private collaboration championed by the government in addressing challenges facing our citizens abroad.
“The Ministry commends their patriotism and selflessness, which have significantly alleviated the plight of our compatriots in South Africa. In light of this, the ministry calls upon the organised private sector, corporate organisations, state governments, and other well-meaning Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to emulate these worthy examples. Our collective efforts will bolster our national capacity to respond to consular emergencies effectively.
“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.” The statement reads in parts
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