The Federal Government would continue to work with South Africa and other host countries to tackle the underlying causes of Afrophobia and prevent violence and discrimination against Nigerians
By Mmesoma Onwuka
The Federal Government has announced the arrival of another 83 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa, with the returnees expected to land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the evacuees are scheduled to leave Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at about 3:35 p.m. local time aboard South African Airways and arrive in Lagos around 8:45 p.m.
According to the Ministry, the latest evacuation was made possible through the intervention of private individuals who sponsored the returnees’ air tickets. The government expressed appreciation for their support and generosity.
The development comes after the completion of the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation exercise, which resulted in the return of nearly 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa amid concerns over growing Afrophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments.
The government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the welfare, dignity and rights of Nigerians both within the country and abroad.
The Ministry said the administration’s Citizen Diplomacy agenda recognises Nigerians in the diaspora as important partners in national development and remains focused on ensuring their safety and well-being.
It also praised philanthropists and other private individuals contributing to the humanitarian response, describing their efforts as a demonstration of a “whole of society approach” to tackling challenges faced by Nigerians overseas.
The Ministry urged corporate organisations, the organised private sector, state governments and well-meaning Nigerians in Nigeria and abroad to support similar initiatives and help strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to consular emergencies.
It further said the Federal Government would continue to work with South Africa and other host countries to tackle the underlying causes of Afrophobia and prevent violence and discrimination against Nigerians.
The government also reiterated its condemnation of attacks on Nigerians and stressed that perpetrators of violence and discriminatory acts should be held accountable.