A new batch of 83 Nigerian nationals will arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, via South African Airways, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.

In a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the returnees are expected to depart Oliver Tambo Airport in Johannesburg at 3:35 p.m. local time and arrive in Lagos at approximately 8:45 p.m. the same day.

According to the ministry, the latest cohort of returnees is being facilitated through the kind intervention and sponsorship of air tickets by public-spirited private individuals, whose generosity the Federal Government acknowledged with profound gratitude.

The development follows the earlier conclusion of the government’s voluntary repatriation programme, which saw nearly 1,490 Nigerian citizens repatriated from South Africa amid rising Afrophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments in the country.

The ministry said the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, remained unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding the welfare and dignity of all Nigerians at home and abroad.

“In line with its Citizen Diplomacy agenda, the government views Nigerians in the diaspora not as a burden, but as critical assets for national development, and is dedicated to ensuring their protection and well-being.”

The ministry also extended special appreciation to the private individuals and philanthropists who had stepped forward to assist in the humanitarian effort.

It described their intervention as a sterling example of the “whole of society approach” and the public-private collaboration championed by the government in addressing challenges facing Nigerians abroad.

The ministry commended their patriotism and selflessness, saying their contributions had significantly alleviated the plight of Nigerians in South Africa.

It therefore called on the organised private sector, corporate organisations, state governments and other well-meaning Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to emulate the initiative.

“Our collective efforts will bolster our national capacity to respond to consular emergencies effectively.”

The government said it remained committed to deepening strategic partnerships with host nations, including South Africa, to address the root causes of Afrophobia and ensure that acts of violence and discrimination against Nigerians were prevented and strongly condemned when they occurred.

It added that perpetrators of such violence must be held accountable.

Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and director Mark Walter are considering selling their stakes in the Premier League side to the club’s majority owner Clearlake Capital, according to reports on Monday.

American billionaires Boehly and Walter were two of the investors who partnered with Clearlake to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich for £2.5 billion ($3.3 billion) in May 2022.

Private equity company Clearlake currently owns 62 percent of Chelsea, with Boehly and Walter holding the remaining shares with fellow investor Hansjorg Wyss.

Boehly, Walter and Wyss control 38 percent through Blueco Holdings.

Boehly has reportedly been dissatisfied with the direction of Chelsea, notably regarding recruitment, managers and a potential new stadium plan.

There have been reports that Boehly and Clearlake had attempted to buy each other out of Chelsea several times over the last two years.

Boehly and Walter reportedly believe Chelsea are worth £5 billion if they do sell their stake.

The pair are friends and business partners, having also invested together in baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers and women’s basketball franchise LA Sparks.

Chelsea finished a dismal 10th in the Premier League last season and hired Xabi Alonso as their new manager, with the 2026-27 season starting for the Blues with a trip to Fulham on August 24.

Big Brother Naija Season 11 housemate, Abi, has emerged as the new Head of House, HoH, taking over from Niche for the new week.

Abi secured the position after winning the latest Head of House challenge on Monday.

She was later informed that her team had also won immunity for the week, giving them protection from the nomination and eviction process.

The development means Abi’s HoH victory has significantly changed how nominations and evictions will play out this week.

Abi now begins her reign as HoH with her team protected from eviction, while the other housemates face another round of the competition for survival in the house.