NEMA Coordinates Reception of 1,516 Nigerians Voluntarily Repatriated from South Africa

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 11th June and 15th July, 2026.

—The Repatriation Exercise—

The voluntary repatriation was undertaken by the Federal Government through coordinated efforts of:
– NEMA
– Ministry of Foreign Affairs
– NCFRMI, NiDCOM, NIS, FAAN, NIMC, Port Health Services
– Security agencies and other stakeholders, including support from MTN

The returnees arrived in seven batches through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, aboard Air Peace and South African Airways flights.

—Breakdown of arrivals:
1. Batch 1: 258 returnees – 11th June, Air Peace
2. Batch 2: 66 returnees – 24th June, South African Airways
3. Batch 3: 298 returnees – 30th June
4. Batch 4: 266 returnees – 3rd July, Air Peace
5. Batch 5: 284 returnees – 9th July
6. Batch 6: 39 returnees – 10th July, South African Airways
7. Batch 7: 305 returnees – 15th July, 2026
Total: 1,516 returnees

—NEMA’s Role—

Throughout the exercise, NEMA played a leading operational role in coordinating the reception of the returnees and arrangements for their onward transportation to various destinations, alongside partner agencies.

NEMA’s Lagos Operations Office, led by the Head of Operations on behalf of the Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, carried out the Agency’s responsibilities, ensuring successful reception, processing, and onward movement of the returnees.

The Agency commended all stakeholders whose collaboration contributed to the successful and dignified return of the affected Nigerians.

NEMA reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with all relevant stakeholders to continue providing coordinated humanitarian support during emergency evacuations, voluntary repatriation, and other humanitarian operations, in line with its statutory mandate.