The Federal Government will evacuate another 83 Nigerians from South Africa, with the returnees expected to arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the returnees would leave Oliver Tambo Airport, Johannesburg, aboard South African Airways at 3.35pm local time and arrive in Lagos at about 8.45pm.
It said the evacuation was made possible through the intervention and sponsorship of flight tickets by public-spirited private individuals, whose support the government appreciated.
The latest batch comes after the conclusion of the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme, which resulted in the return of nearly 1,490 Nigerians amid rising Afrophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments in South Africa.
The ministry said the government remained committed to protecting the welfare and dignity of Nigerians at home and abroad, while urging private organisations, state governments and other well-meaning Nigerians to support efforts to respond to consular emergencies.
The statement read: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to announce that a new batch of 83 Nigerian nationals will arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 via South African Airways.
“They are expected to depart the Oliver Tambo Airport in Johannesburg at 3.35pm local time to arrive Lagos at approximately 08.45pm the same day.
“The Ministry wishes to note that this latest cohort of returnees is facilitated through the kind intervention and sponsorship of tickets by public-spirited private individuals, whose generosity the federal government acknowledges with profound gratitude.”
Meanwhile, South Africa’s anti-immigration group, March and March, has announced September 30 as a fresh deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country.
The group made the announcement during a protest in Durban on Monday, calling on African leaders attending the 46th SADC Summit to support the return of undocumented migrants to their countries.
The group said: “We are announcing the second wave of the 30 June National Day of Action and calling on the heads of state to prepare for the massive deportation of all illegal foreigners from South Africa by 30 September, which will be the mother of all protests.”
It added: “South Africans must follow the law and remain the eyes and ears of the police against any illegal foreigners in the country.”
