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The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, has commended the resilience, courage, and determination of another batch of 271 Nigerians who safely returned from South Africa, assuring them of the Federal Government’s continued commitment to their dignified reintegration and long-term recovery.
The minister made the commitment through his Senior Technical Adviser on Information Systems and Data Analysis, Dr. Abimbola Fasanu, following the arrival of the returnees at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, yesterday, aboard an Air Peace flight under the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme.
Dr. Doro described the returnees as resilient Nigerians who remained responsible and law-abiding, despite the difficult circumstances that led to 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.
He reiterated that the President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting the dignity and welfare of Nigerians wherever they may be, adding that the Federal Government will continue to provide humanitarian support and facilitate the reintegration of all returnees.
“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 said.
He explained that the reintegration process goes beyond the reception at the airport and includes humanitarian assistance, profiling, referrals, and opportunities aimed at helping returnees rebuild sustainable livelihoods.
Dr. Doro called on state governments, the private sector, development partners, philanthropic organisations, community leaders, families, and well-meaning Nigerians to complement the Federal Government’s efforts by extending support to the returnees as they begin a new chapter of their lives.
“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.”
The minister commended the dedication and professionalism of the Lead Agency National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) for coordinating the reception and reintegration process. He also acknowledged the contributions of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Port Health Services, Air Peace, and other stakeholders whose collaborative efforts ensured the safe, orderly, and dignified return of the citizens.
The Director, Migrants Affairs at the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Ambassador Catherine Udida, said the Commission remains committed to ensuring that every returnee receives the necessary support for a smooth and dignified reintegration.
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“Our priority is to help every returning Nigerian reconnect with opportunities, restore hope, and begin a new chapter with confidence,” she said.
Expressing confidence in the determination of the returnees, Dr. Doro urged them to remain optimistic about the 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 returnees arrived in Lagos at approximately 10:40am aboard an Air Peace flight from Johannesburg as part of the Federal Government’s ongoing voluntary repatriation programme for Nigerians who chose to return home, following rising anti-immigration tensions in South Africa.
The minister reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and expanding reintegration initiatives that restore dignity, promote resilience, and create sustainable pathways out of vulnerability in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu administration.
Meanwhile, Amb. Udida, said that a total of 595 Nigerians have so far been repatriated from South Africa.
She said more batches would be arriving in Nigeria soon.
On those that have arrived, Udida said the ministry would be following their rehabilitation into the society, and would do all within its powers, including skills acquisition, to enable them to begin to earn meaningful living.
One of the returnees, Adeyemo, said he practically returned without any property. He said it was heartbreaking to sell off property acquired for over a decade for peanuts and, in the end, not all were sold nor brought back home.
Another returnee, Mr John Okeke, urged the Federal Government to take the South African Xenophobia very seriously to serve as a deterrent to other African countries.
Okeke pointed out that the returnees were law-abiding migrants and did not deserve the treatment meted out on them by South Africa.
