Another 66 evacuated Nigerians return from South Africa, bringing total to 324

Another batch of 66 stranded Nigerians has been  evacuated from South Africa and returned home, bringing the total number of citizens repatriated under the Federal Government’s emergency evacuation programme to 324.

The latest group arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday night, following President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the immediate evacuation of Nigerians facing difficulties in South Africa.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by Abdur-Rahman Balogun. Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

According to the statement, the first batch of 258 returnees arrived in Nigeria on June 11, 2026, while the latest evacuation exercise added another 66 citizens to the growing number of Nigerians brought back home under the initiative.

The second evacuation operation was facilitated by Otunba Soname, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ValueJet Airlines, whose intervention was described as a humanitarian gesture aimed at supporting stranded compatriots.

The returnees were accompanied by officials of the Nigerian Embassy in South Africa and were received by representatives of relevant government agencies upon arrival for documentation and reintegration processes.

Speaking shortly after their arrival, the returnees expressed appreciation to the President for approving their evacuation and ensuring their safe return to Nigeria.

They also commended Soname for providing support for the operation, as well as Temitope Alexander-Ajayi, Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa,  for facilitating arrangements that made their return possible.

The evacuees further praised Abike Dabiri-Erewa,  Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, for her role in coordinating efforts to bring them home.

They acknowledged the presence of NiDCOM officials at the airport and thanked the commission for providing financial support to ease their immediate resettlement challenges.

Representing Dabiri-Erewa at the reception ceremony,  Dipo Odebowale lauded  Tinubu for prioritising the welfare of Nigerians abroad and ensuring the safe return of citizens affected by the situation in South Africa.

Odebowale noted that logistical challenges encountered during the first phase of the evacuation had been actively addressed by Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador

He assured that efforts were ongoing to bring back all Nigerians who had registered for evacuation, adding that the Foreign Affairs Minister remained committed to resolving outstanding issues and facilitating the return of every eligible citizen.

The returnees received various forms of financial assistance and welfare support from government officials, private organisations and religious groups.

Among the beneficiaries were evacuees from Imo State, who received N1 million each through the intervention of Governor Hope Uzodimma.

Telecommunications giant MTN also provided support packages to the returnees, including free SIM cards loaded with data valued at N50,000, alongside an additional N100,000 to be credited directly into the bank accounts of each returnee.

Similarly, Bolaji Idowu,  Lead Pastor of Harvesters International Christian Centre, donated N100,000 to each of the evacuees as part of efforts to assist their reintegration into society.

Officials from several government agencies were present at the airport to facilitate documentation and provide support services for the returnees.

These included the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and various security agencies.

The returnees expressed gratitude for the warm reception, financial assistance and support extended to them upon their arrival, describing the intervention as a significant relief after their ordeal abroad.

The Federal Government has maintained that evacuation efforts will continue until all registered Nigerians seeking repatriation from South Africa are safely returned home.