FG urges states to support Nigerians fleeing South Africa over xenophobia

The Federal Government has called on state governments to support Nigerians returning from South Africa amid renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments.

It warned that citizens facing danger abroad must not be left without assistance.
The appeal was made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as another 83 Nigerians are evacuated from South Africa on Wednesday, bringing the number of citizens repatriated under the government’s voluntary return programme and subsequent arrangements to about 1,573.
The latest evacuation comes amid continued concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other African nationals in parts of South Africa.
The ministry said state governments had an important role to play in ensuring that Nigerians returning from crisis situations abroad were properly supported, particularly with relocation and reintegration.
“We therefore call on state governments to complement the Federal Government’s efforts towards ensuring that no citizen at risk abroad is abandoned to an uncertain fate, by assisting in evacuation or in cushioning the difficult process of relocation and resettlement of their returning indigenes,” the ministry said.
The latest appeal followed an intervention by a group of public-spirited private individuals who jointly sponsored the air tickets of the 83 Nigerians returning from South Africa.
The ministry commended the group for complementing the Federal Government’s efforts, describing their intervention as an example of a “whole of society approach” to addressing the challenges confronting Nigerians affected by consular emergencies.
It disclosed that the same group had also committed to sponsoring the evacuation of another batch of Nigerians who no longer felt safe in South Africa and had expressed their desire to return home.
The 83 returnees are scheduled to depart Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, at 3:35 p.m. local time and arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at approximately 8:45 p.m. Wednesday.
The ministry said the returnees include Nigerians from Anambra, Ondo, Imo, Oyo, Enugu, Ogun, Abia, Osun, Delta, Kwara and Ekiti states.
It urged other state governments to emulate those that had already taken steps to assist their returning indigenes, saying such interventions would help ease the burden of relocation after citizens had been forced to leave their livelihoods and properties behind.
The ministry specifically commended the Imo State Government for commencing the disbursement of N1m to each returning indigene. It also acknowledged the Abia State Government’s approval of N1m each for 31 verified returnees of Abia extraction.
It further praised the Enugu State Government for its commitment to supporting the evacuation of stranded indigenes.
“ We urge other State Governments to follow suit and complement Federal Government’s emergency efforts by coming to the aid of their stranded indigenes and returnees in this time of need,” the ministry said.
The Federal Government maintained that its response was part of its broader responsibility to protect Nigerians abroad under President Bola Tinubu’s Citizen Diplomacy agenda.
The latest returnees add to the nearly 1,490 Nigerians previously repatriated from South Africa under the voluntary repatriation programme following concerns over xenophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments. The government has continued to raise concerns about the safety of Nigerians in the country and has called for stronger measures to protect foreign nationals.

The ministry also appealed to other well-meaning Nigerians, private organisations and groups at home and abroad to support citizens facing consular emergencies, noting that government intervention could be strengthened through collective action.
It said, “The Nation appreciates your altruism and your patriotism.”
The ministry reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad while urging state governments to ensure that citizens returning from difficult circumstances receive the support required to rebuild their lives.
To the returning Nigerians, the ministry offered a simple message: “Welcome Home.”