Empowering Returnees: Minister Reaffirms Commitment to Dignified Reintegration as 271 Citizens Return from South Africa
In a powerful demonstration of national resilience and compassion, the Nigerian government has welcomed home a further 271 citizens returning from South Africa. The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, lauded their resilience and courage, emphasising the government’s unwavering dedication to their dignified reintegration and ongoing recovery process.
The Minister issued a heartfelt statement through his Senior Technical Adviser on Information Systems and Data Analysis, Dr. Abimbola Fasanu, following the return of the citizens at Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The returnees arrived aboard an Air Peace flight under the government’s voluntary repatriation programme, highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to its citizens abroad.
Describing the returnees as resilient Nigerians, Dr. Doro acknowledged their responsible conduct despite the challenging circumstances that prompted their decision to return home.
> “The most important thing is that you are home safely. You were not returned because you committed any crime. You conducted yourselves responsibly while striving to earn an honest living. Although you have faced difficult circumstances, we will face this challenge together as one nation,” the Minister stated.
Reaffirming the government’s resolve, he emphasised that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remains committed to safeguarding the dignity and welfare of all Nigerians, regardless of their location. The government pledges continued humanitarian support and reintegration efforts to facilitate their smooth transition back into society.
> “Nigeria will never abandon its citizens. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, every Nigerian matters, and every returning citizen deserves the opportunity to rebuild a productive and dignified life,” he affirmed.
The Minister explained that reintegration encompasses more than just airport reception; it involves comprehensive humanitarian assistance, profiling, referrals, and opportunities designed to help returnees establish sustainable livelihoods.
He called upon state governments, the private sector, development partners, philanthropic organisations, community leaders, families, and well-meaning Nigerians to join hands in supporting these citizens as they begin anew.
> “Successful reintegration is a shared responsibility. Government has taken the lead, but lasting recovery requires the collective support of families, communities, state governments, development partners, and the private sector. Together, we can restore dignity, rebuild lives, and create new opportunities for our fellow citizens.”
Expressing appreciation for the collaborative efforts, Dr. Doro commended the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) for its leadership in coordinating the process. He also acknowledged contributions from the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Port Health Services, Air Peace, and other stakeholders for ensuring a safe, organised, and dignified return.
Amb. Catherine Udida, Director of Migrants Affairs at NCFRMI, reiterated the commission’s commitment to supporting each returnee through a seamless reintegration process.
> “Our priority is to help every returning Nigerian reconnect with opportunities, restore hope, and begin a new chapter with confidence,” she stated.
With confidence in the resilience of the returnees, Dr. Doro urged them to remain optimistic about their future.
> “I see strength, resilience, and hope in every one of you. Nigerians are known across the world for their resilience, creativity, and determination. I have no doubt that you will rise above this challenge, rebuild your lives, and continue to make meaningful contributions to our nation.”
The latest group of 271 citizens arrived in Lagos at approximately 10:40 a.m., after flying in from Johannesburg aboard an Air Peace flight, as part of the government’s ongoing voluntary repatriation scheme prompted by rising anti-immigration tensions in South Africa.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and expanding reintegration initiatives that uphold dignity, foster resilience, and create sustainable pathways out of vulnerability—aligning with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Amb. Catherine Udida further revealed that a total of 595 Nigerians have been repatriated from South Africa so far, with more batches expected to arrive soon. She assured that the Ministry would actively support their social and economic rehabilitation, including skills acquisition programmes to enable them to earn a meaningful livelihood.
One of the returnees, Adeyemo Place, shared his experience, saying he had returned with almost nothing—selling property accumulated over a decade for a fraction of its value, and losing some assets in the process.
Another returnee, Mr John Okeke, urged the Federal Government to address South Africa’s xenophobic attitudes more seriously, to serve as a deterrent to other African nations. He emphasised that the returnees were law-abiding migrants who deserved better treatment.
This latest chapter underscores Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to its citizens abroad and its resolve to ensure their dignity and well-being, reaffirming the nation’s dedication to building resilient, inclusive communities at home and abroad.