First group of 270 Nigerians to return from South Africa on Thursday
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The first group of at least 270 Nigerians is scheduled to arrive in Lagos on Thursday morning, following recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the evacuees will depart Johannesburg鈥檚 O.R. Tambo International Airport on Wednesday night aboard an Air Peace aircraft, landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, around 5 a.m. The Federal Government is funding the evacuation and reception of the returnees, who will undergo documentation and profiling before being reunited with their families. The repatriation was initially delayed due to logistical considerations, with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, explaining that more time was needed for documentation and screening in collaboration with South African authorities. Over 1,000 Nigerians have participated in the screening, and the number seeking repatriation is increasing. The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria also secured concessions for Nigerians with immigration-related issues, allowing them to depart through the repatriation program instead of facing detention. The National Emergency Management Agency and other government agencies are coordinating the operation, which aims to assist Nigerian citizens wishing to leave South Africa due to concerns over attacks on foreign nationals.
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Afrobeats artist Davido, also known as David Adeleke, has scheduled an exclusive live premiere for his upcoming album, 'Oriade', in London on August 11. The singer shared this announcement on his X account, inviting fans to the O2 Forum Kentish Town for what he described as the "first and only chance to hear Oriade performed live." Tickets for the event are currently on sale. Davido had previously informed his fans that 'Oriade', his sixth studio album, is set for release on July 31. The album's title, 'Oriade', translates to "the crowned head" from Yoruba, combining "ori" destiny and "ad茅" crown. This album is intended to commemorate his 15 years in the music industry. Davido stated to Billboard that he decided to trust his musical destiny over fifteen years ago, believing that significant blessings come from self-belief. The lead single, "I Know Who I Be," featuring South African producers Jazzwrld and GL Ceejay, has already been released. The 13-track 'Oriade' is described as a return to his original, high-energy African sound, moving away from heavily pop-focused crossovers. This album follows his 2025 Billboard chart hit album, "5ive".
Wigwe University, founded by the late Herbert Wigwe, is facing allegations of mass staff dismissals, intimidation, and administrative high-handedness. Former employees, including Dr. Nonyelum Okechukwu, a university librarian, and Amarachi Ogbennia, a college secretary, claim their appointments were terminated without due process or clear reasons. Other former staff members, including a lecturer from Zimbabwe and a former deputy registrar, describe an atmosphere of fear and arbitrary dismissals, with some attributing these issues to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Marwan Al-Akaidi. Documents reportedly indicate that about 30 academic and non-academic employees have either been terminated or resigned. Civil society organizations and legal experts are calling for an independent investigation, emphasizing that even private institutions must adhere to Nigerian labor laws. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Marwan Al-Akaidi, denies personally terminating anyone's appointment, stating that the university follows established procedures for disciplinary matters and maintains high standards, with no place for "lazy people."
Must ReadAt least 1,429 Nigerians were repatriated from Niger Republic in May 2026, according to data from the Mixed Migration Centre. Niger Republic continues to serve as a major transit corridor for West African citizens attempting to reach Europe through Libya and Algeria. The repatriations highlight the ongoing presence of stranded migrants in Niger, many of whom face prolonged stays in IOM centers or urban areas with limited resources. In May 2026, the Nigeria Immigration Service confirmed the arrival of 1,100 Nigerians from Niger Republic, followed by an additional 329 returnees received by the National Emergency Management Agency from Agadez, Niger鈥檚 main desert transit hub. Agadez has been a key staging post for West Africans crossing the Sahara into Libya or Algeria for over a decade. Nigerians remain among the nationalities attempting the Central Mediterranean Route into Italy, with 163 arrivals recorded as of May 2026. The report also noted that 14,602 people were expelled from Algeria into Niger between January 18 and May 17, 2026, with some migrants, including Nigerians, subsequently pushed back across the border into Algeria by Nigerien police, creating a cycle of expulsion and re-expulsion. Niger鈥檚 role as a transit corridor accelerated after the collapse of the Muammar Gaddafi regime in Libya in 2011. A 2015 law criminalizing migrant smuggling in Niger, enacted under pressure from the European Union, was later repealed by Niger鈥檚 military government, a move that rights