ABUJA, Nigeria – The first cohort of Nigerian evacuees from Sudan is expected to touch down on Nigerian soil this Friday, April 28, 2023, according to Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM.
During the 70th session of the weekly ministerial briefing, Dabiri-Erewa outlined the ongoing repatriation efforts, stating, “Barring any last-minute changes, the first set of Nigerian evacuees from Sudan are expected to arrive in Nigeria on Friday.” This announcement comes as part of the government’s concerted effort to bring home Nigerian citizens stranded in the war-stricken nation.
In a massive logistical effort, 13 buses have left from two universities in Khartoum, carrying Nigerian students towards the Aswan border in Egypt. Once there, the students will be airlifted to Nigeria. However, the NIDCOM boss noted that the task has become more challenging as the number of Nigerians expressing interest in returning home has exceeded initial expectations.
In an earlier interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, April 27, 2023, Dabiri-Erewa confirmed that more Nigerian students are to be evacuated from Sudan today. “13 buses of about 60 people have already left. We are hoping that they would get into [Cairo] as one later this evening, but we are monitoring them,” she said.
Mission officials are awaiting the students’ arrival in Cairo, where they will be received and prepared for their onward journey to Nigeria.
However, the NIDCOM boss did express concern over the number of undocumented Nigerians seeking evacuation from the North African country.
The government is vigilant in ensuring the safe arrival of these students, and the process will be closely monitored until everyone is safely back on Nigerian soil.
This marks a historic and significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to support its citizens abroad, particularly in regions experiencing conflict and instability.