The Federal Government has announced plans to evacuate another batch of 83 Nigerians from South Africa amid growing concerns over xenophobic attacks, anti-foreigner sentiments and the safety of Nigerian nationals living in the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday and signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, saying the returnees are expected to arrive in Nigeria on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
According to the ministry, the Nigerians will depart Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at approximately 3:35 p.m. local time aboard South African Airways and are expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 8:45 p.m. the same day.
The latest evacuation comes against the backdrop of persistent concerns over attacks, intimidation and discrimination against foreigners in parts of South Africa, particularly Nigerians and other African nationals.
The Federal Government said the latest repatriation exercise was made possible through the intervention of private individuals who sponsored the air tickets for the affected Nigerians.
The ministry expressed appreciation to the sponsors, describing their contribution as an important demonstration of patriotism and solidarity with Nigerians facing difficult circumstances abroad.
“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 latest development follows the conclusion of an earlier voluntary repatriation programme through which nearly 1,490 Nigerians were returned from South Africa amid concerns over xenophobic attacks and discrimination against foreigners.
The government has maintained that the voluntary evacuation programme was designed to assist Nigerians who no longer felt safe or comfortable remaining in South Africa and wished to return home.
The decision to facilitate another batch of returnees highlights the continuing challenges confronting Nigerians living in South Africa, where tensions surrounding migration, unemployment, crime and competition for economic opportunities have occasionally triggered hostility towards foreign nationals.
Nigerians have historically maintained a significant presence in South Africa, contributing to various sectors of the country’s economy. However, relations between Nigerians and some South African communities have periodically been strained by allegations of criminality, irregular migration and economic competition.
Nigerian officials have consistently maintained that criminality should be treated as an individual matter and that Nigerians should not be collectively targeted or blamed for the actions of individuals.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in its latest statement, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the welfare and dignity of Nigerians both within the country and abroad.
It said the administration of President Bola Tinubu considers Nigerians in the diaspora valuable contributors to national development and not a burden on the government.
According to the ministry, the government’s Citizen Diplomacy agenda recognises Nigerians abroad as “critical assets for national development” and seeks to ensure their safety, dignity and well-being.
The ministry also commended the private citizens and philanthropists who supported the latest evacuation exercise, describing their intervention as an example of the “whole-of-society approach” being encouraged by the Federal Government.
It stressed that government alone should not be expected to bear the responsibility of responding to every consular emergency involving Nigerians abroad, particularly where urgent intervention is required.
“The ministry commends their patriotism and selflessness, which have significantly alleviated the plight of our compatriots in South Africa,” the statement said.
The Federal Government subsequently called on the organised private sector, corporate organisations, state governments, philanthropists and other well-meaning Nigerians in the country and abroad to support initiatives aimed at protecting Nigerians facing emergencies outside the country.
The ministry said broader participation from individuals and organisations would strengthen the country’s ability to respond quickly to emergencies involving its citizens overseas.
Beyond the evacuation programme, the government said it would continue diplomatic engagements with the South African authorities to address the underlying causes of Afrophobia and prevent further attacks against Nigerians.
The ministry emphasised that diplomatic engagement remained necessary to ensure that Nigerians living in South Africa receive adequate protection under the law and that perpetrators of violence are held accountable.
“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 government’s position reflects its broader effort to combine emergency assistance with diplomatic measures aimed at addressing the structural causes of anti-foreigner violence.
For the 83 Nigerians scheduled to return on Wednesday, the evacuation represents an opportunity to leave an environment they consider unsafe and begin the process of rebuilding their lives in Nigeria.
However, the continued need for repatriation also underscores the complex challenges facing Nigerians in the diaspora and the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement between Abuja and Pretoria.
The Federal Government has therefore urged all Nigerians living abroad to remain law-abiding and to report threats to their safety through appropriate Nigerian diplomatic missions and relevant authorities.
It also appealed for greater cooperation between government agencies, diplomatic missions, private organisations and members of the Nigerian community abroad in responding to emergencies.
The latest evacuation is expected to further strengthen calls for coordinated action to protect Nigerians in South Africa while ensuring that bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa are not undermined by recurring incidents of xenophobic violence.
As the 83 returnees prepare to arrive in Lagos, the Federal Government’s message remains that the safety and dignity of Nigerians abroad must be protected, while efforts continue to address the causes of hostility against foreign nationals through dialogue, diplomacy, law enforcement and stronger regional cooperation.
