A fresh batch of 83 Nigerians is expected to arrive in Lagos on Wednesday after being repatriated from South Africa, about a month after the Federal Government concluded its evacuation exercise from the country amid concerns over rising xenophobic violence.
Gatekeepers News reports that Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the latest repatriation was facilitated and sponsored by private individuals.
According to Ebienfa, the group is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at approximately 8:45pm aboard a South African Airways flight.
The development comes weeks after the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa opened an online registration portal for Nigerians interested in participating in a second repatriation exercise.
At the time, however, the exercise had not been confirmed.
Alexander Ajayi, Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, had told TheCable that the commission was compiling the details of interested Nigerians for possible future use once partners agreed to sponsor the return tickets.
The High Commission had also announced that the registration portal would remain open until August 12, while appealing to private partners to support the repatriation effort.
Ebienfa said the Federal Government appreciated the private individuals who sponsored the tickets and described their intervention as an example of public-private collaboration in addressing challenges confronting Nigerians abroad.
“Their action is a sterling example of the ‘whole of society approach’, public-private collaboration championed by the government in addressing challenges facing our citizens abroad,” the ministry spokesperson said.
“The Ministry commends their patriotism and selflessness, which have significantly alleviated the plight of our compatriots in South Africa.”
The Federal Government also urged corporate organisations, state governments and individuals to “emulate these worthy examples” by supporting Nigerians facing difficulties abroad.
The latest repatriation comes amid renewed concerns over anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa.
The development also follows a fresh deadline reportedly issued by March and March, a controversial anti-migrant movement, giving undocumented migrants until September 30 to leave the country.
