The Federal Government says it will airlift 65 more Nigerians from South Africa on Wednesday amid ongoing fears over xenophobic attacks.
In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the group’s return tickets were sponsored by private individuals. The flight is scheduled to depart Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport at 3:30 p.m. on August 26, 2026, aboard South African Airways.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that another set of 65 Nigerian nationals sponsored by private individuals will depart the Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa on Wednesday 26 August 2026 at 3.30pm local time via South African Airways,” the ministry stated.
The returnees are expected to land at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at about 8:45 p.m. the same day.
This comes just a week after 83 Nigerians were evacuated from South Africa under the government’s voluntary repatriation programme. That group of 58 adults and 25 children arrived in Lagos on August 19. It was the first evacuation done with a commercial flight. Previous seven batches were flown home on chartered aircraft.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the tickets for the August 19 evacuees were jointly paid for by private individuals and business associates, and that the same sponsors have agreed to fund more returns for Nigerians who no longer feel safe.
With the latest arrivals, the total number of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa under the programme now stands at 1,573, according to the ministry.
The repatriations began in response to repeated xenophobic attacks in South Africa that have reportedly led to deaths and loss of property among Nigerians.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the government remains committed to protecting citizens abroad under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Citizen Diplomacy agenda. She also urged state governments to support returnees through resettlement aid.
Some states have already started. Imo State is giving N1 million to each returning indigene. Abia State approved the same amount for 31 verified returnees. Enugu State has also pledged to help evacuate stranded indigenes.
The minister called on other states to follow suit and assist citizens affected by the situation in South Africa.
