FG Welcomes 271 Nigerians from South Africa, Says Returnees Will Receive Reintegration Support

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare, rehabilitation and long-term reintegration of Nigerians returning from abroad, as another batch of 271 citizens voluntarily returned from South Africa amid rising anti-immigration tensions.
The returnees arrived safely at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, at about 10:40 a.m. on Tuesday aboard an Air Peace flight under the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme.
Speaking after receiving the returnees, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, assured them that the government would continue to stand by every Nigerian in times of difficulty, stressing that their return marked the beginning of a new opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity.
In a statement issued on his behalf by his Senior Technical Adviser on Information Systems and Data Analysis, Dr. Abimbola Fasanu, the Minister praised the resilience, courage and determination displayed by the returnees despite the challenges that forced them to leave South Africa.
According to him, the returnees remained responsible and law-abiding citizens while striving to earn an honest living abroad.
“The most important thing is that you are home safely. You were not returned because you committed any crime. You conducted yourselves responsibly while striving to earn an honest living. Although you have faced difficult circumstances, we will face this challenge together as one nation,” the Minister said.
Dr. Doro emphasized that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains unwavering in protecting the dignity, welfare and rights of Nigerians both at home and abroad.
He noted that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, every Nigerian deserves the opportunity to recover, rebuild and contribute meaningfully to national development.
“Nigeria will never abandon its citizens. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, every Nigerian matters, and every returning citizen deserves the opportunity to rebuild a productive and dignified life,” he stated.
The Minister explained that the Federal Government’s reintegration programme extends beyond welcoming returnees at the airport, incorporating humanitarian assistance, profiling, counselling, referrals, livelihood support, skills development and other empowerment initiatives designed to ensure sustainable reintegration.
He appealed to state governments, the organised private sector, development partners, humanitarian organisations, community leaders, families and well-meaning Nigerians to complement government efforts in supporting the returnees.
“Successful reintegration is a shared responsibility. Government has taken the lead, but lasting recovery requires the collective support of families, communities, state governments, development partners and the private sector. Together, we can restore dignity, rebuild lives and create new opportunities for our fellow citizens.”
The Minister commended the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) for coordinating the reception and reintegration exercise, describing the agency’s efforts as professional and commendable.
He also acknowledged the collaboration of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Port Health Services, Air Peace and other stakeholders whose coordinated efforts ensured the safe, orderly and dignified return of the Nigerians.
Providing an update on the repatriation exercise, the Director of Migrants Affairs at NCFRMI, Amb. Catherine Udida, disclosed that a total of 595 Nigerians have now been voluntarily repatriated from South Africa, adding that additional batches are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
She assured that the Commission would continue to monitor the rehabilitation of the returnees, including providing skills acquisition opportunities and other empowerment programmes aimed at helping them rebuild sustainable livelihoods.
“Our priority is to help every returning Nigerian reconnect with opportunities, restore hope and begin a new chapter with confidence,” Udida said.
Addressing the returnees, Dr. Doro expressed confidence that they would overcome the present challenges through resilience and determination.
“I see strength, resilience and hope in every one of you. Nigerians are known across the world for their resilience, creativity and determination. I have no doubt that you will rise above this challenge, rebuild your lives and continue to make meaningful contributions to our nation.”
Some of the returnees shared emotional accounts of their experiences in South Africa.
One of them, Adeyemo Place, lamented that he returned home with virtually nothing after being forced to dispose of property accumulated over more than a decade at giveaway prices.
“It is heartbreaking to sell off everything I worked for over many years for peanuts, and even then I couldn’t dispose of all my belongings before leaving,” he said.
Another returnee, John Okeke, urged the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic efforts to address recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa.
According to him, the returnees were law-abiding migrants who did not deserve the hostility and discrimination they experienced.
The latest repatriation exercise forms part of the Federal Government’s ongoing voluntary return programme for Nigerians who opted to leave South Africa following increasing anti-immigration tensions.
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction reaffirmed its commitment to expanding partnerships and strengthening reintegration programmes that restore dignity, promote resilience and create sustainable pathways to economic recovery for returning Nigerians in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Federal Government has welcomed 271 Nigerians repatriated from South Africa, bringing the total number of returnees to 595, while reaffirming its commitment to rehabilitation, skills acquisition and sustainable reintegration under the Renewed Hope Agenda.