The Federal Government has successfully evacuated another batch of 105 Nigerians from South Africa, bringing the total number of Nigerian nationals evacuated from the country to 1,821. The returnees, comprising 82 adults and 23 children, arrived Lagos aboard South African Airways Flight SA060 at about 8:30pm on Thursday. They were received on arrival by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant Federal Government agencies.
The latest evacuation brings to 13 the number of consular evacuations from South Africa since the exercise commenced on June 10, 2026. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1,388 of the evacuees were fully funded by the Federal Government. The ministry disclosed this in a statement signed and released by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, on Saturday. The evacuation exercise is a collaborative effort between the Federal Government and relevant agencies to ensure the safe return of Nigerians stranded in South Africa.
The evacuation of 100 of the 105 returnees was funded from the $265,854 donation made by the Redeemed Christian Church of God towards the purchase of one-way tickets for the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa. The remaining five returnees were evacuated through a donation by a private Nigerian citizen. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed appreciation to the RCCG, under the leadership of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for its donation towards the evacuation of distressed Nigerians.
Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in South Africa is continuing engagements with the RCCG leadership and other philanthropic groups and individuals to facilitate the evacuation of other distressed Nigerians. Some other distressed Nigerians are currently undergoing preliminary clearance with the Consulate in Johannesburg and relevant South African authorities. They will be evacuated as soon as the process is finalized. The Federal Government remains committed to pursuing diplomatic efforts to secure the cooperation of South African authorities in addressing xenophobia and Afrophobia.
The Federal Government remains deeply concerned about persistent Xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa. The government is committed to ensuring the safety, security, and dignity of Nigerians resident in the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured Nigerians in the diaspora that the government would continue to deploy appropriate diplomatic and consular measures to assist them when necessary.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Nigerians resident in South Africa to remain vigilant and law-abiding and maintain contact with the Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg for consular assistance whenever required. The government also assured Nigerians in the diaspora that protecting their lives, rights, welfare, and dignity remains a priority.
The Federal Government expressed appreciation to the RCCG and other groups and individuals that had partnered with the government to assist Nigerians seeking to return home from South Africa. The evacuation exercise is a testament to the government’s commitment to the welfare of its citizens abroad. The government will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safe return of Nigerians stranded in South Africa.
Key points
- The Federal Government has evacuated 1,821 Nigerian nationals from South Africa since the exercise commenced on June 10, 2026.
- The evacuation of 100 of the 105 returnees was funded by the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
- The Federal Government remains committed to pursuing diplomatic efforts to secure the cooperation of South African authorities in addressing xenophobia and Afrophobia.
