By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government says another batch of Nigerians is expected to leave South Africa on Tuesday amid the renewed wave of xenophobic attacks that has led to the death of two citizens.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this in a statement posted on her official X handle on Monday morning.

“Another evacuation flight will leave for Johannesburg tomorrow, Tuesday, July 7 (2026), to bring home our citizens,” Mrs Odumegwu-Ojukwu wrote.

The evacuation is the latest in the repatriation exercise by Nigerian authorities as they seek the safety of their citizens in South Africa.

Already, three batches of Nigerians have returned home since the evacuation began last month. The minister said the last flight for the evacuation is “expected to arrive in South Africa on 10th July”.

“Our Nationals are again advised to weigh the risks regarding whether to remain or return,” she said.

The Nigerian foreign ​ministry has said on Sunday that two Nigerians were killed in South Africa, one of them by police and ​threatened to take unspecified action if the attacks persisted.

Mrs Odumegwu-Ojukwu asked Nigerians in South Africa “who consider their lives at risk to take advantage of the FG-sponsored evacuation flights to be transported home”.

“Following the earlier evacuations of our citizens in 3 separate operations, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, extended the Evacuations beyond the June 30 deadline, with the fourth evacuation flight having arrived in Nigeria on 3rd July 2026,” the diplomat said. “Our citizens are strongly advised to take advantage of this extension and utilise the full capacity of the aircraft.”

The minister condemned the killing of the two Nigerians in South Africa, calling on authorities to “urgently investigate the incidents and bring those responsible to justice”.

“There are no signs that the situation is improving,” she said.

“Nigeria remains concerned about the safety of its citizens in South Africa as a result of the ongoing xenophobic protests and attacks on migrants, and even more so following the deaths of 2 Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu, during these unfortunate events,” the minister said.

“For many still sitting on the fence, they should do well to note that properties and investments lost can be replaced, but not lives lost,” she wrote.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria remains committed to the safety and welfare of its citizens abroad and will put all necessary measures in place to protect them.”

Several African countries have repatriated their citizens from South Africa as fringe groups began demanding all illegal migrants leave by June 30, in a campaign that saw violent protests and clashes in which foreign nationals were killed.

The Border Management Authority says that more than 35,000 people have already been repatriated or deported since June 7.

The groups mobilising against illegal immigrants blame them for high unemployment and lack of services, pressing social problems that analysts say are largely due to government failures.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The first prosecution witness has been presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, in the trial of the former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc (now Polaris Bank Limited), Mr Tunde Ayeni.

The witnessed from brought before the judge by the anti-money laundering agency on Monday, July 6, 2026.

The prosecution counsel, Mr Abba Muhammed (SAN), presented the witness identified as Mr Remigus Ugwu, a staff member of Zenith Bank Plc.

After the presentation, the matter was adjourned till July 16, 2026, for continuation of the trial.

The EFCC is prosecuting Mr Ayeni on an 18-count amended charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and diversion of funds totalling N15.6 billion.

The defendant was first arraigned on May 4, 2026, on a 17-count charge and was subsequently re-arraigned on June 22, 2026, after the commission filed an amended charge supported by additional proof of evidence.

Nigeria’s renewable energy ecosystem came together in Lagos as All On Partnerships for Energy Access hosted its 10th Anniversary Dinner and Fireside Chat, convening leaders from government, development finance institutions, the private sector, development organisations, academia and the renewable energy industry to celebrate a decade of catalytic investment while setting the agenda for the future of energy access in Nigeria.

The evening reflected ten years of building businesses, strengthening markets and expanding access to clean, reliable and affordable energy through collaboration. More importantly, it looked ahead, bringing together some of the sector’s most influential voices to explore how partnerships, innovation and long-term investment can accelerate universal energy access for millions more Nigerians.

Representing the His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu
Executive Governor of Lagos State, the Honourable Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Hon. Biodun Ogunleye, congratulated All On on its ten-year journey, describing the organization as an important contributor to Nigeria’s renewable energy ecosystem. Delivering the Governor’s goodwill message, he commended All On for demonstrating that underserved communities are not beyond the reach of sustainable investment and reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to creating an enabling policy environment that encourages innovation, investment and private sector participation in the electricity market.

Welcoming guests, Caroline Eboumbou, Chief Executive Officer of All On, reflected on the organization’s evolution from an ambitious vision into one of Nigeria’s leading impact investors and ecosystem builders. She acknowledged the presence of the founding visionary and former Board Chairman, Dr. Osagie Okunbor, the Board of Directors, investees, partners, government institutions and communities whose collective efforts have helped shape All On’s first decade.

Reflecting on the organization’s journey, Eboumbou noted that while capital was essential, experience had shown that expanding energy access required far more than financing businesses alone.

“We realized very quickly that we needed to be more than just an investor. Building this market required us to combine catalytic capital with technical assistance, venture support, ecosystem development and strategic partnerships. That is how lasting impact is created.”

Today, All On’s work has contributed to reaching nearly two million lives, demonstrating what is possible when patient capital is combined with innovation, entrepreneurship and long-term collaboration across the renewable energy ecosystem.

One of the evening’s defining moments was a fireside conversation between Eboumbou and Damilola Ogunbiyi, Chief Executive Officer and Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL). Their discussion explored the evolution of Nigeria’s off-grid energy sector over the past decade and the partnerships required to deliver universal energy access across Africa.

Drawing on years of collaboration with All On, Ogunbiyi reflected on the organization’s role in helping shape Nigeria’s renewable energy market, highlighting the importance of institutions that build markets, strengthen businesses and mobilize investment rather than simply financing individual projects. Together, both leaders agreed that while significant progress has been made, the next decade will require even stronger partnerships, continued innovation and sustained investment to ensure that millions more Africans gain access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy.

The conversation was followed by an Impact Showcase, where Dalberg presented findings from its independent evaluation of All On’s first decade of work. The assessment highlighted the organization’s contribution to expanding energy access through catalytic investment, venture building, enabling finance and ecosystem development, while demonstrating measurable improvements in business growth, market development and opportunities for underserved communities. The showcase reinforced the impact of an integrated approach that combines investment with long-term market building.

Looking ahead, a second fireside discussion shifted the focus from reflection to the future of Nigeria’s renewable energy sector. Moderated by Abiodun Oni, Chief Executive Officer of FundCo, the panel featured Sandra Dozie, Chief Executive Officer of Salpha Energy and Muhammad Wakil, Country Delivery Lead (Nigeria) for the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). Together, they explored the opportunities and challenges shaping the next phase of Nigeria’s energy transition, highlighting local manufacturing, innovative financing, enabling policy, private sector investment and strategic collaboration as critical drivers of future growth.

The evening also featured a Special Recognition segment celebrating the collaborations that have shaped All On’s first decade. Awards of Excellence were presented to organizations and individuals whose vision, leadership and collaboration have helped strengthen Nigeria’s renewable energy ecosystem, from pioneering ecosystem development and policy advocacy to advancing innovation, market growth and universal energy access. Honourees included The Rockefeller Foundation, Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN), Shell Nigeria, and Dr. Osagie Okunbor, Founding Chairman of the All On Board of Directors.

Closing the evening, All On reaffirmed its commitment to building on the momentum of its first decade. As the organization looks towards the future, its focus remains on mobilizing catalytic capital, strengthening businesses, fostering innovation and deepening partnerships that will accelerate access to clean, reliable and affordable energy for million more Nigerians. The first decade demonstrated what is possible. The next decade will be about scaling that impact. 

About All On:

All On Partnerships for Energy Access (All On), an independent impact investing company, was seeded by Shell to catalyze the growth of Nigeria’s off-grid energy market to provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for low-income households and small businesses.

All On provides debt and equity funding, as well as non-financial support, to Nigerian energy companies that align with its mission of closing Nigeria’s access-to-energy gap through renewable energy solutions. Visit https://www.all-on.com/ to learn more. For media enquiries, contact co************@****on.com