Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, will be at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to receive 268 returnees on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday said the gesture was a demonstration of the importance attached to the well-being of Nigerians abroad and the Federal Government’s citizen-centred foreign policy.
The Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria in Pretoria, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, is expected to escort the first batch of 268 passengers to the country and hand them over to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. The estimated time of arrival of the evacuation flight operated by Air Peace Airlines is 5.00 am. on Thursday, 11th June, 2026.
Ebienfa informed that the ongoing screening exercise by the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria for Nigerian nationals willing to voluntarily return to the country due to the ongoing xenophobic attacks has been extended to Sunday, 14th June 2026, to accommodate more persons.
This underscores the priority accorded to the protection of Nigerian citizens overseas, which remains a central pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy and a core responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It also reflects the Government’s determination to ensure that Nigerians affected by crises abroad receive the necessary support, dignity, and care.
The Ministry, therefore, assured the public that the Federal Government, through relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), had put in place comprehensive reception, documentation, and support arrangements for the returnees.
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