Lagos, June 30, 2026 — Nigerian returnees evacuated from South Africa have expressed deep gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a third batch of 298 citizens arrived safely in Lagos, following his directive for the immediate evacuation of stranded Nigerians.
The returnees commended President Tinubu for funding and facilitating the evacuation exercise, describing the intervention as timely and compassionate. The initiative, they noted, underscores the administration’s commitment to the welfare and safety of Nigerians in the diaspora who are willing to return home.
The latest group of evacuees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport aboard an Air Peace flight, accompanied by officials of the Nigerian Embassy in South Africa.
They also extended appreciation to key government officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu; Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Temitope Alexander-Ajayi; and the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, whose representatives were on ground to receive them and announce support measures.
Among government officials present at the airport to receive the returnees were Ambassador Ali Gombe of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ambassador Katherine Ude, Director at the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons; Comptroller of Immigration at the airport command, Mr. C. C. Uzoma; and Mr. Dipo Odebowale, who represented the NiDCOM Chairman.
In a gesture of support, returnees from Imo State received one million naira each, courtesy of Governor Hope Uzodimma. Telecommunications giant MTN also provided free SIM packs with data valued at N50,000, alongside a cash transfer of N100,000 to each returnee.
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Officials from Edo and Delta States were also present to receive their indigenes, reaffirming their respective state governments’ commitment to facilitating smooth reintegration for the returnees.
Relevant government agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Refugees Commission, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other security agencies, were on ground to ensure proper documentation and coordination of the return process.
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