Dr. Bernard Doro, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, recently recognized the strength of Nigerians who moved back home following a surge in xenophobic hostility in South Africa. Represented by Dr. Abimbola Fasanu, the minister welcomed 269 individuals at the Lagos airport, noting that these people were not deported for crimes but chose to return to avoid a volatile situation. He stressed that they maintained their dignity while working abroad and that the government stands firmly with them.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has promised to facilitate the reintegration of these citizens, ensuring they receive support through humanitarian programs. Doro encouraged state governments to provide additional assistance to help the returnees resettle comfortably. Agencies such as the National Emergency Management Agency and the Nigeria Immigration Service were praised for their role in the successful evacuation efforts.
Ambassador Catherine Udida of the National Commission for Refugees confirmed that more groups are expected and that various economic empowerment and rehabilitation programs are planned to help them restart their lives. Despite the government’s support, some returnees expressed deep frustration. Adeyemo Place, one of the arrivals, noted the financial ruin caused by having to sell assets at a fraction of their value to leave quickly. Another returnee, John Okeke, called on the federal government to adopt a more aggressive diplomatic approach regarding the safety of Nigerians in South Africa.
The latest arrivals landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport via an Air Peace flight from Johannesburg. With this group, the total number of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa under the government’s program has reached 593, following earlier flights in June.
