Another batch of 66 stranded Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived in Lagos, bringing the total number of returnees under the Federal Government’s evacuation programme to 324.
The latest group landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Wednesday night following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the immediate evacuation of stranded Nigerians from South Africa.
In a statement issued by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the commission recalled that the first batch of 258 returnees arrived in Nigeria on June 11, 2026.
According to the statement, the second evacuation was facilitated by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ValueJet Airline, Otunba Kunle Soname, whose humanitarian gesture ensured the safe return of the evacuees. The returnees were accompanied by officials of the Nigerian Embassy in South Africa.
The returnees expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving their evacuation and commended Otunba Soname for providing the airline support. They also thanked Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Temitope Alexander-Ajayi, and the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, whose staff received them at the airport and announced financial support for the returnees.
Speaking on behalf of the NiDCOM Chairman, Mr. Dipo Odebowale praised President Tinubu for facilitating the evacuation and ensuring the safe return of the stranded citizens. He disclosed that the logistical challenges encountered after the first evacuation were being addressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, who has assured that all Nigerians registered for evacuation would be brought back home.
The statement also highlighted various support packages provided to the returnees. Those from Imo State received ₦1 million each through Governor Hope Uzodimma, while MTN Nigeria donated free SIM packs with data valued at ₦50,000 and pledged an additional ₦100,000 to each returnee through their bank accounts.
Similarly, the Senior Pastor of Harvesters Church, Bolaji Idowu, donated ₦100,000 to each of the evacuees.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other security agencies were present to receive and document the returnees.
The returnees expressed gratitude for the warm reception and the financial assistance provided by the government and other stakeholders, describing the support as timely and encouraging as they begin rebuilding their lives in Nigeria.
