The Federal Government of Nigeria on Thursday officially received the first batch of 258 Nigerian returnees from South Africa, marking the commencement of a fresh, government-backed voluntary repatriation exercise.
The returnees touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at approximately 10:00 a.m. aboard a chartered Air Peace flight, which was fully funded and facilitated by the Federal Government.
To ensure a seamless transition, a high-powered federal delegation was on the ground to welcome the citizens.
The reception team included; Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction ,Dr. Bernard Doro,Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs;Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM),Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and Honourable Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).,Dr. Tijani Aliyu Ahmed.
Several frontline border and emergency management stakeholders also participated in the exercise, including representatives from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and Port Health Services.
Upon disembarking, the 258 returnees were guided through an orderly, multi-agency reception pipeline. This included standard immigration screening, comprehensive health checks, profiling, and initial documentation.
Addressing the returnees, the officials reiterated that the presence of multiple cabinet-level dignitaries underscored the administration’s strict commitment to the welfare, dignity, and protection of Nigerians both at home and abroad.
The successful operation highlighted the increasing efficiency of inter-agency collaboration in Nigeria’s domestic migration management. By aligning health, security, and humanitarian arms, the government successfully executed the return in a safe, humane, and dignified manner.
This evacuation stands as the first official batch of Nigerians returned from South Africa under the current diplomatic and humanitarian framework established by the Federal Government.
