Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has successfully coordinated the reception of 1,516 vulnerable Nigerian nationals who voluntarily returned from the Republic of South Africa between 11 June and 15 July 2026, in a major humanitarian operation involving several government agencies and development partners.
According to a statement issued by Manzo Ezekiel of NEMA’s Press Unit, the voluntary repatriation exercise was facilitated by the Federal Government through the collaborative efforts of NEMA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Port Health Services, security agencies and other stakeholders, with support from MTN.
The returnees arrived in seven batches through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, aboard flights operated by Air Peace and South African Airways, as authorities worked to ensure a safe, orderly and dignified return process.
According to NEMA, the first batch of 258 returnees arrived on 11 June 2026 aboard an Air Peace flight, while the second batch of 66 returnees arrived on 24 June via South African Airways.
The third batch of 298 Nigerians returned on 30 June, followed by a fourth batch of 266 returnees on 3 July, both aboard Air Peace flights.
The fifth batch of 284 returnees arrived on 9 July, while a sixth batch comprising 39 returnees arrived on 10 July via South African Airways.
The seventh and final batch of 305 returnees arrived on 15 July 2026, bringing the total number of Nigerians successfully repatriated from South Africa during the exercise to 1,516.
Throughout the operation, NEMA played a central role in coordinating the reception of the returnees and facilitating arrangements for their onward transportation to various destinations across the country in collaboration with partner agencies.
The Agency noted that its Lagos Operations Office, led by the Head of Operations on behalf of the Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar diligently coordinated NEMA’s responsibilities throughout the exercise, ensuring the seamless reception, processing, and onward movement of the returnees.
NEMA commended all participating agencies and stakeholders whose collaboration contributed to the successful completion of the humanitarian exercise.
The Agency also reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with relevant partners to provide coordinated humanitarian assistance during emergency evacuations, voluntary repatriation programmes, and other humanitarian interventions in line with its statutory mandate.
According to NEMA, the successful operation underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the welfare and dignity of Nigerians abroad while ensuring that vulnerable citizens who choose to return home receive the necessary support and assistance for a smooth reintegration process.
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