The Federal Government will on Thursday receive the first batch of 268 Nigerians being evacuated from South Africa following ongoing xenophobic attacks in parts of the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed on Wednesday that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, will personally receive the returnees at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on behalf of the Federal Government.
According to a statement signed by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the evacuation flight, operated by Air Peace Airlines, is expected to arrive at about 5:00 a.m. on June 11, 2026.
The Acting Nigerian High Commissioner in Pretoria, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, is expected to accompany the evacuees and formally hand them over to the minister upon arrival.
The ministry said the reception of the returnees reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians abroad and its citizen-centred foreign policy.
It also announced that the ongoing screening exercise for Nigerians willing to voluntarily return home from South Africa has been extended until Sunday, June 14, 2026, to accommodate more affected persons.
According to the ministry, the extension underscored the priority the government places on the protection of Nigerian citizens overseas, which remains a key pillar of the country’s foreign policy.
“The Government is determined to ensure that Nigerians affected by crises abroad receive the necessary support, dignity and care,” the statement noted.
The ministry further assured that relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have put in place comprehensive arrangements for the reception, documentation and reintegration support of the returnees.
The evacuation comes as Nigerian authorities continue to monitor the situation in South Africa and provide assistance to citizens affected by the latest wave of xenophobic violence.
