The Federal Government has announced that another 83 Nigerian nationals evacuated from South Africa amid rising Afrophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments are expected to return to the country on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Monday and signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the returnees would arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 8:45pm.
According to the ministry, the Nigerians will depart Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, at 3:35pm local time aboard South African Airways.
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 development comes after the conclusion of the government’s voluntary repatriation programme, which saw nearly 1,490 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following concerns over attacks and discrimination against foreigners.
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 the government’s Citizen Diplomacy agenda considers Nigerians in the diaspora “not as a burden, but as critical assets for national development,” stressing that their protection and well-being remained a priority.
The ministry also praised 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.
It urged the organised private sector, corporate organisations, state governments and other well-meaning Nigerians to support government efforts in responding to consular emergencies.
The ministry further said Nigeria would continue diplomatic engagement with South Africa to tackle the root causes of Afrophobia and prevent violence 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.
