Another batch of Nigerian returnees from South Africa arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, at about 8:50 pm on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

This evacuation exercise was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of the Federal Government’s commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad. The first batch of 258 returnees arrived on Thursday, June 11, 2026, via a chartered Air Peace flight.

The second batch, comprising 66 returnees, was facilitated by Otunba Kunle Soname, the Chairman/CEO of Value Jet. The returnees were accompanied by officials from the Nigerian Embassy/High Commission in South Africa.

Speaking on behalf of the NiDCOM,
Dipo Onabowale, Chairman/CEO, commended President Tinubu for his citizen-centred leadership in facilitating the safe return of the returnees.

He noted that logistical challenges encountered after the first evacuation are being addressed by Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who has assured that all registered Nigerians will be evacuated.

The returnees, particularly those from Imo State, received ₦1,000,000 each courtesy of Governor Hope Uzodinma.

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Additional support included:

– MTN Nigeria: Free SIM packs with data worth ₦50,000 and ₦100,000 credited to each returnee’s bank account.

– Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters International Christian Centre, ₦100,000 to each returnee.

Government agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Commission for Refugees, Migration and Internally Displaced Persons, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and security agencies, were on hand to document, receive, and provide necessary assistance to the returnees.

The returnees expressed deep appreciation for the donations, warm reception, and comprehensive support extended to them, describing it as a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to Nigerians wherever they may be.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.

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