4,000 Nigerians in the diaspora are willing to return back home following the outbreak of COVID-19 around the globe. This was confirmed by Geoffrey Onyeama, the nation’s Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Federal Capital Territory on the 4th of May.
According to him, the Nigerians willingly to return back to the country would be allowed back if the Federal government has available enough bed spaces at the isolation Centers.
Onyeama stated that the Federal government is, however, looking into bringing back these willingly citizens and Emirates Airlines also showed interest in flying them into the country.
Going forward, he made known that Emirates Airlines will kick into operation to bring these Nigerians back on May 6. These sets would be the first to be brought back home. The minister stated that 300 beds are currently available in Lagos and 1000 beds in Abuja. He gave kudos to the Governor of Lagos for his effort in battling the pandemic in the state and referred to his actions has exemplary.
Geoffrey Onyeama revealed that the British Airways would arrive Lagos on Friday with no passengers. Following this, the Federal government negotiated with the airline to allow willing Nigerians in the United Kingdom to return with the plane.
He stated that the government would have loved the plane to land in Abuja, but would have to make do with the available option. He also stated that he had negotiated with the United States for any available flight coming to Nigeria to bring Nigerians with it.
On Monday, the government negotiated with Ethiopian Airlines to bring back Nigerians also Air Peace is landing from London on Sunday and the government is looking to see if it can bring back Nigerians.
Nigerians in China and India are also willing to come back home and the government is looking to see to their safe return. Geoffrey Onyeama confirmed.