The Federal Government has commenced another round of evacuation of Nigerian nationals from South Africa following renewed xenophobic protests and anti-immigrant threats in the country.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed that the evacuation of willing Nigerians should continue until every citizen seeking to return home had been brought back safely.
According to the minister, the latest evacuation exercise follows an earlier operation in which 66 Nigerians, mostly women and children considered to be in vulnerable conditions, were airlifted from South Africa and arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 24, 2026.
She said another evacuation flight, operated by Air Peace and fully funded by the Federal Government, was scheduled to arrive at the Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg later on Monday to evacuate more Nigerians ahead of a deadline reportedly issued by anti-migrant groups in South Africa.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said President Tinubu had instructed that the evacuation exercise should continue even after the expiration of the deadline to ensure that no Nigerian willing to return home would be left behind.
She added that relevant government agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), would receive the returnees at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
According to her, the agencies will carry out documentation, health screening and profiling of the evacuees upon their arrival.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians living abroad, describing the safety of citizens overseas as a key component of the Tinubu administration’s citizen diplomacy agenda.
She said the government remained committed to safeguarding Nigerians outside the country’s borders and ensuring that citizens facing threats abroad receive the necessary support and protection.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also welcomed the returning Nigerians, assuring them of the government’s continued support as they resettle in the country.