65 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 — 𝗙𝗚

Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu

Another batch of 65 Nigerian nationals is returning home from South Africa today, Wednesday, August 26, 2026, amid ongoing concerns over anti-foreigner attacks, discrimination, and rising hospitality issues targeting migrants.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its official communication channels, the logistics for the voluntary repatriation are arranged as follows:

Departure Location: O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg.

Departure Time: 3:30 PM local South African time.

Airline: South African Airways.

Arrival Location: Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Arrival Time: Expected at approximately 8:45 PM Nigerian time. 

Private Sponsorship: The flight tickets and evacuation process for this specific batch are entirely funded through the financial interventions of public-spirited private individuals, rather than direct state funding.

Preceding Evacuations: This latest group follows a separate repatriation phase just one week prior on August 19, 2026, which successfully brought home 83 Nigerians (58 adults and 25 children).

Broader Framework: This development forms part of an expansive voluntary evacuation program under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Citizen Diplomacy agenda, which has already overseen the return of over 1,500 individuals.

State Support Initiatives: In response to the federal government's call to help integrate the returnees, several Nigerian states have rolled out financial aid. For instance, both the Imo and Abia state governments have approved resettlement disbursements of ₦1 million each for verified returning indigenes from their respective extractions.

Upon landing in Lagos, the 65 returnees will undergo mandatory profiling, documentation, and medical checkups by relevant government border and diaspora agencies before being safely reunited with their families.

By Olagunju, Success Taiwo