83 Nigerians Return Home from South Africa as FG Begins Reintegration

The Federal Government has received 83 Nigerian returnees from South Africa as part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safe return and reintegration of Nigerians abroad.

The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday aboard a South African Airways flight from Johannesburg.

Two officials from the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Johannesburg accompanied the returnees on the flight.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said the repatriation was made possible through the procurement of flight tickets by private individuals who offered financial support for the exercise.

On arrival in Lagos, the returnees were received by the Director of the African Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Haruna Ali-Gombe, who welcomed them on behalf of the Federal Government.

They were subsequently handed over to relevant government agencies for documentation and profiling.

The ministry said the process would pave the way for the returnees to be reunited with their families and supported through the necessary reintegration arrangements.

The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the welfare of Nigerians abroad and facilitating the safe return of citizens who require repatriation.

It also commended the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, the private sponsors who funded the flight tickets and all government agencies involved in receiving and processing the returnees.

The ministry described the support from the private individuals as crucial to the successful completion of the repatriation exercise.