KEY POINTS

• 66 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrived safely in Lagos as part of the Federal Government’s repatriation programme.
• Returnees received financial support and relief packages from the Federal Government, private organisations, and the Imo State Government.
• The government says all registered Nigerians in South Africa will be evacuated despite earlier logistical challenges.

Another group of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has safely returned home, as the Federal Government continues efforts to bring stranded citizens back to the country.

The 66 returnees landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 8:50 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, according to a statement released on Thursday by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

The latest evacuation is the second phase of an ongoing repatriation exercise approved by President Bola Tinubu, which aims to ensure the safe return of Nigerians affected by challenges in South Africa.

The latest group arrived just weeks after the first batch of 258 Nigerians returned to the country on June 11, 2026, aboard a chartered Air Peace flight.

While the first evacuation was handled through Air Peace, the second exercise was facilitated by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ValueJet, Kunle Soname, who supported the transportation of the returnees.

Officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa accompanied the evacuees throughout the journey back to Nigeria.

NiDCOM described the evacuation as another demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of Nigerians living outside the country.

Representing the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Dipo Onabowale commended President Tinubu for prioritising the safety and welfare of Nigerian citizens.

He also acknowledged that logistical challenges experienced during the first evacuation exercise were being addressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

According to him, the minister has assured that all Nigerians who have registered for evacuation from South Africa will eventually be brought back home safely.

Upon arrival, the evacuees expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and other individuals and organisations that made their return possible.

They specifically thanked Kunle Soname, Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa Temitope Alexander Ajayi, NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and several government agencies involved in the operation.

As part of efforts to support their reintegration into society, the returnees received various forms of financial assistance and welfare packages.