The Federal Government of Nigeria has evacuated another batch of 105 distressed Nigerians from South Africa following a surge in xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in the country. This latest evacuation brings to 13 the number of consular evacuations conducted from South Africa since the programme began on June 10, 2026. The returnees, comprising 82 adults and 23 children, arrived Lagos aboard South African Airways flight SA060 on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
The evacuation exercise was made possible through a donation of 265,854 US dollars by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for the purchase of one-way tickets for 500 distressed Nigerians in South Africa. The RCCG-funded evacuation catered to 100 returnees, while a private Nigerian citizen sponsored the remaining five. The Federal Government has expressed appreciation to the RCCG and other groups as well as individuals supporting the evacuation programme.
The returnees were received 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 government agencies. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, confirmed the evacuation and highlighted the government's efforts to provide assistance to Nigerians in distress.
Since the evacuation programme began on June 10, 2026, a total of 1,821 Nigerians have been evacuated from South Africa so far. The Federal Government has fully funded the evacuation of 1,388 persons. The government continues to pursue diplomatic and other measures to secure stronger action by the South African authorities against persistent xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.
The Nigerian diplomatic mission in South Africa is engaging with the RCCG and other philanthropic organisations to facilitate the evacuation of more distressed Nigerians. Those undergoing preliminary clearance with the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg and relevant South African authorities will be evacuated as soon as the process is concluded.
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians in the diaspora that the protection of their lives, rights, welfare, and dignity remains a priority. Nigerians resident in South Africa are urged to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and maintain contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg whenever consular assistance is required.
The government has deployed a team of experts to Niger State to investigate the deaths of detained persons arrested over alleged illegal mining activities. However, this development is unrelated to the evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa. The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, expressed shock and sadness over the incident and has initiated an investigation.
Key points
- 105 distressed Nigerians were evacuated from South Africa on September 24, 2026.
- The evacuation was funded by the Redeemed Christian Church of God and a private Nigerian citizen.
- A total of 1,821 Nigerians have been evacuated from South Africa since June 10, 2026.
