A fresh wave of relief and homecoming unfolded at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday night as another batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrived in the country, marking the latest phase of a government-backed repatriation exercise aimed at bringing stranded citizens home safely.
In a statement on Thursday, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) said the returnees arrived at about 8:50 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
The Commission described the evacuation, approved by President Bola Tinubu, as part of the Federal Government’s commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad.
The first batch of 258 returnees had arrived on Thursday, June 11, 2026, via a chartered Air Peace flight, while a second batch of 66 was facilitated by ValueJet Chairman/CEO, Kunle Soname.
According to the statement, the returnees were accompanied by officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa.
Upon arrival, they expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for approving the evacuation, as well as to relevant stakeholders including Soname, Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa Temitope Ajayi, and the heads of NiDCOM, NEMA, the National Commission for Refugees, Migration and Internally Displaced Persons, FAAN, and the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Speaking on behalf of the NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Dipo Onabowale commended the President for what he described as citizen-centred leadership in ensuring the safe return of Nigerians.
He noted that logistical challenges encountered during earlier evacuations were being addressed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who assured that all registered Nigerians would be evacuated.
As part of the reintegration support package, NiDCOM announced several relief measures for the returnees.
Indigenes of Imo State received ₦1,000,000 each, courtesy of Governor Hope Uzodimma. MTN Nigeria provided free SIM cards with data worth ₦50,000 and an additional ₦100,000 credit to each returnee’s bank account.
Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters International Christian Centre also donated ₦100,000 to each returnee.
Officials of NEMA, the Refugee Commission, the Nigeria Immigration Service, FAAN, and security agencies were on ground to receive, document, and provide immediate assistance to the returnees.
The returnees expressed appreciation for the reception and support, describing the intervention as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians abroad.
