83 Nigerians in South Africa repatriated by private individuals

A fresh batch of 83 Nigerian nationals stranded in South Africa will arrive in Lagos on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, following a voluntary repatriation funded entirely by private individuals and philanthropists.

Public-spirited private donors stepped in to fund the air tickets, illustrating a public-private partnership to resolve a consular crisis.

The returnees are flying on South African Airways, departing OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 3:35 p.m. local time, and landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at approximately 8:45 p.m. the same day.

The move follows a surge in Afrophobic sentiment, intimidation, and anti-foreigner protests in South Africa, including upcoming mass demonstration deadlines set by local anti-immigration groups.

This private intervention comes just after the conclusion of the Nigerian Federal Government's official voluntary repatriation programme, which previously brought back nearly 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed that the government will continue high-level diplomatic engagements with South African authorities to address the root causes of Afrophobia and ensure the long-term safety of Nigerian citizens who choose to remain. Additionally, other regional nations like Ghana, Malawi, and Mozambique have similarly evacuated parts of their citizen populations in recent weeks.

By Olagunju, Success Taiwo