•Nigerian returnees from South Africa
A new batch of 88 Nigerian nationals will arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, today, via South African Airways, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.
In an updated statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, today, the returnees are expected to depart Oliver Tambo Airport in Johannesburg at 3:35 p.m. local time and arrive in Lagos at approximately 8:45 p.m.
An earlier statement by Ebienfa on Monday had stated that 83 Nigerians would return from the Xenophobic country, reports Channels TV.
According to the ministry, the latest cohort of returnees is being facilitated through the kind intervention and sponsorship of air tickets by public-spirited private individuals, whose generosity the federal government acknowledged with profound gratitude.
The development follows the earlier conclusion of the government’s voluntary repatriation programme, which saw nearly 1,490 Nigerian citizens repatriated from South Africa amid rising Afrophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments in the country.
The ministry said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, remained unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding 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, and is dedicated to ensuring their protection and well-being.”
The ministry also extended special appreciation to the private individuals and philanthropists who had stepped forward to assist in the humanitarian effort.
It described their intervention as a sterling example of the “whole of society approach” and the public-private collaboration championed by the government in addressing challenges facing Nigerians abroad.
The ministry commended their patriotism and selflessness, saying their contributions had significantly alleviated the plight of Nigerians in South Africa.
It therefore called on the organised private sector, corporate organisations, state governments and other well-meaning Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to emulate the initiative.
“Our collective efforts will bolster our national capacity to respond to consular emergencies effectively.”
