WED AUG 26 2026-theGBJournal| A further 65 Nigerians are due to return home from South Africa on Wednesday, as concerns continue over the safety and welfare of Nigerian nationals following reports of xenophobic incidents and protests calling for the deportation of foreign nationals.
The latest returnees are travelling under a privately sponsored voluntary repatriation programme organised by the Nigeria Private Group of Business Friends, which is supporting the Federal Government’s earlier repatriation efforts.
Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the second batch of returnees comprises 30 adults, 34 children and one infant, accompanied by one mission official.
The returnees include Nigerian nationals from Lagos, Enugu, Kogi, Ogun, Imo, Oyo, Delta, Edo, Anambra, Osun, Benue, Abia and Kwara states.
They are scheduled to leave Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 15:30 South African time and arrive at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at about 20:45 on Wednesday.
The latest return follows the arrival of 83 Nigerians last week, also under a privately sponsored arrangement by the Nigeria Private Group of Business Friends. The group is also facilitating the latest exercise.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commended the private group for “complementing the Government’s efforts” and for its “proactive humanitarian interventions”.
She also renewed an appeal to state governments to assist Nigerians returning from South Africa, many of whom have left behind livelihoods and property.
“We continue to appeal to state governments to complement Federal Government’s repatriation efforts by coming to the aid of their returnees, many of whom left South Africa, abandoning livelihoods and properties, and to assist towards alleviating the trauma their returning indigenes have endured by assisting them with relocation and resettlement.”
The minister ended her message to the latest returnees with a simple assurance: “Welcome Home”.
More than 1,600 Nigerians now returned
The latest figures point to a significant expansion of the repatriation effort.
The Federal Government’s earlier voluntary repatriation programme brought 1,516 Nigerians home from South Africa in seven batches between 11 June and 15 July, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
A further 83 Nigerians returned on 19 August, with their tickets funded by private individuals.
That puts the number already returned at 1,599.
If Wednesday’s scheduled flight carrying 65 people arrives as planned, the total number of Nigerians returned through these repatriation efforts will rise to 1,664.
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