Another group of Nigerians has returned home from South Africa as concerns continue over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks affecting Nigerians and other African nationals in the country.
The latest evacuation involved 105 Nigerians, made up of 82 adults and 23 children, who arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways Flight SA060 on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at about 8:30 p.m.
According to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the latest arrival represents the 13th consular evacuation from South Africa since the exercise began on June 10, 2026. With this latest batch, the total number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has risen to 1,821.
The evacuation is part of an ongoing effort by the Nigerian government, religious organisations, private individuals and diplomatic officials to assist Nigerians who say they no longer feel safe remaining in South Africa.
Returnees received by Nigerian government agencies
When the latest group arrived in Lagos, they were received by officials representing several Nigerian government institutions.
These included the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, along with other relevant agencies.
The presence of these agencies forms part of the government’s reception process for citizens returning under evacuation arrangements.
Earlier in June, when the evacuation programme began, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said returnees would undergo documentation and profiling before receiving appropriate assistance and being reunited with their families.
RCCG funded most of the latest evacuation
A significant part of the latest evacuation was funded by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said 100 of the 105 Nigerians in the latest group returned using money from a $265,854 donation by the RCCG.
The donation was made to support the purchase of one-way airline tickets for 500 Nigerians in South Africa who wanted to return home.
The remaining five returnees were reportedly supported by a private Nigerian citizen.
The RCCG intervention has added a major private-sector and faith-based component to the evacuation programme.
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the RCCG, also publicly welcomed the Nigerians who returned home under the programme.
The church’s involvement shows how religious organisations and private citizens are increasingly participating alongside government agencies in humanitarian efforts involving Nigerians living abroad.
More Nigerians may still return
The evacuation programme is not expected to end with the latest 105 returnees.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other Nigerians seeking to return from South Africa are still undergoing preliminary clearance through the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg and the relevant South African authorities.
Those who complete the necessary procedures are expected to be evacuated as arrangements are finalised.
This means the total number of Nigerians returning from South Africa could continue to increase.
The Nigerian diplomatic mission has also been engaging with RCCG leaders in South Africa as well as other organisations and individuals willing to support Nigerians who want to leave.
Federal Government has funded most evacuations
Although private organisations have recently become