The Federal Government has successfully repatriated another batch of 66 stranded Nigerians from South Africa, as part of its ongoing evacuation exercise.

The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at approximately 8:50 p.m. on Wednesday aboard a ValueJet flight.

The evacuation followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the repatriation of Nigerians stranded abroad, a move authorities say reflects the government’s commitment to the safety and welfare of its citizens.

This latest exercise comes two weeks after an earlier batch of 258 Nigerians was evacuated from South Africa and arrived in Lagos on June 11 via a chartered Air Peace flight.

The returnees, who were accompanied by officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for facilitating their return. They also appreciated the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ValueJet, Otunba Kunle Soname, for supporting the evacuation.

Other individuals and organisations acknowledged by the evacuees include the Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Temitope (Alexander) Ajayi; the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM); the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA); the National Commission for Refugees, Migration and Internally Displaced Persons; the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Speaking on behalf of the NIDCOM Chairman, Mr. Dipo Onabowale commended President Tinubu for adopting what he described as a citizen-centred approach to governance, particularly in addressing the welfare of Nigerians in the diaspora.

He noted that logistical challenges encountered during the first evacuation are currently being addressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who has assured that all registered Nigerians willing to return home will be evacuated.

As part of reintegration efforts, NIDCOM announced support packages for the returnees. Nigerians from Imo State reportedly received ₦1 million each from Governor Hope Uzodinma.

In addition, MTN Nigeria provided each returnee with a free SIM card preloaded with data worth ₦50,000 and credited ₦100,000 to their bank accounts. Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters International Christian Centre also donated ₦100,000 to each evacuee.

Relevant government agencies, including NEMA, the Refugee Commission, FAAN, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and security agencies, were present at the airport to receive, document, and provide immediate assistance to the returnees.