Enugu Gives ₦77 Million Support to 112 Nigerians Returning From South Africa
By james ituru ·
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The Enugu State Government has announced a ₦77 million support package for 77 families comprising 112 state indigenes who recently returned from South Africa amid concerns over xenophobic attacks and hostility towards African migrants.
The returnees were formally received on Thursday, September 17, at the International Conference Centre in Enugu, where the state government outlined measures aimed at helping them rebuild their lives and establish new sources of income.
Governor Peter Mbah was represented at the reception by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia. The governor announced that each of the 77 returning families would receive ₦1 million as financial support. The Enugu State Government's official account confirms the number of returnees, families and the amount allocated.
The intervention brings the immediate financial commitment to ₦77 million.
According to the state government, another 42 returnee families are being profiled in collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM. It was not immediately clear from the government's statement when that process would be completed or whether the additional families would receive the same financial package.
Mbah says funding is meant to help families restart
Mbah described the financial assistance as seed funding rather than compensation for everything the returnees may have lost in South Africa.
The governor acknowledged that some Nigerians returning under difficult circumstances could be leaving behind businesses, investments, property and years of work.
He said the government's priority was therefore not limited to receiving residents back into the state but also finding ways to support their economic and social reintegration.
Mbah also encouraged the returnees to apply the skills, business experience and professional knowledge they acquired abroad to opportunities available in Enugu.
The state administration said it intends to connect the families with programmes and institutions that could provide further assistance as they rebuild their livelihoods.
Returnees respond to Enugu government's assistance
Some of those received by the state government expressed appreciation for the intervention.
Returnee Chidimma Ogbonna thanked the government for its reception and assistance, while another returnee, Cosmas Okwor, said the welcome had renewed their sense of hope.
Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu, chairman of the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, also encouraged the returnees to focus on rebuilding their lives and taking advantage of new opportunities within the state.
Olangwa Ezekwu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora, credited federal authorities and diaspora agencies for their roles in facilitating the return of Nigerians affected by the situation in South Africa.
She specifically acknowledged Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and NiDCOM, chaired by Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Return comes amid wider repatriation effort
The arrival of the Enugu indigenes forms part of a broader return of Nigerians from South Africa in 2026.
In June, Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a federal evacuation programme for nationals affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The ministry said the Federal Government would fund the operation and that affected Nigerians would not be charged for repatriation.
The National Emergency Management Agency later reported that 1,516 Nigerians voluntarily returned from South Africa between June 11 and July 15.
According to NEMA, the returnees arrived in seven batches through Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos aboard Air Peace and South African Airways flights. Multiple federal agencies participated in their reception, documentation and onward movement.
The Enugu government's intervention now shifts attention from repatriation to longer-term reintegration, as returning families face the challenge of rebuilding businesses, securing employment and re-establishing themselves after coming home.
For the 77 families received in Enugu, the ₦1 million payment represents an initial financial step, while the government's proposed links to other support programmes could determine how effectively the returnees are able to rebuild their livelihoods.
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Governor Peter Mbah was represented at the reception by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia. The governor announced that each of the 77 returning families would receive ₦1 million as financial support. The Enugu State Government's official account confirms the number of returnees, families and the amount allocated.
The intervention brings the immediate financial commitment to ₦77 million.
According to the state government, another 42 returnee families are being profiled in collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM. It was not immediately clear from the government's statement when that process would be completed or whether the additional families would receive the same financial package.
Mbah says funding is meant to help families restart
Mbah described the financial assistance as seed funding rather than compensation for everything the returnees may have lost in South Africa.
The governor acknowledged that some Nigerians returning under difficult circumstances could be leaving behind businesses, investments, property and years of work.
He said the government's priority was therefore not limited to receiving residents back into the state but also finding ways to support their economic and social reintegration.
Mbah also encouraged the returnees to apply the skills, business experience and professional knowledge they acquired abroad to opportunities available in Enugu.
The state administration said it intends to connect the families with programmes and institutions that could provide further assistance as they rebuild their livelihoods.
Returnees respond to Enugu government's assistance
Some of those received by the state government expressed appreciation for the intervention.
Returnee Chidimma Ogbonna thanked the government for its reception and assistance, while another returnee, Cosmas Okwor, said the welcome had renewed their sense of hope.
Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu, chairman of the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, also encouraged the returnees to focus on rebuilding their lives and taking advantage of new opportunities within the state.
Olangwa Ezekwu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora, credited federal authorities and diaspora agencies for their roles in facilitating the return of Nigerians affected by the situation in South Africa.
She specifically acknowledged Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and NiDCOM, chaired by Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Return comes amid wider repatriation effort
The arrival of the Enugu indigenes forms part of a broader return of Nigerians from South Africa in 2026.
In June, Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a federal evacuation programme for nationals affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The ministry said the Federal Government would fund the operation and that affected Nigerians would not be charged for repatriation.
The National Emergency Management Agency later reported that 1,516 Nigerians voluntarily returned from South Africa between June 11 and July 15.
According to NEMA, the returnees arrived in seven batches through Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos aboard Air Peace and South African Airways flights. Multiple federal agencies participated in their reception, documentation and onward movement.
The Enugu government's intervention now shifts attention from repatriation to longer-term reintegration, as returning families face the challenge of rebuilding businesses, securing employment and re-establishing themselves after coming home.
For the 77 families received in Enugu, the ₦1 million payment represents an initial financial step, while the government's proposed links to other support programmes could determine how effectively the returnees are able to rebuild their livelihoods.