The Federal Government will on Thursday receive the first batch of 268 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following ongoing xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of the country.
The returnees are expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard an Air Peace evacuation flight scheduled to land at about 5:00 a.m. on June 11, 2026.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, will receive the evacuees on behalf of the Federal Government.
The statement said the Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria in Pretoria, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, will escort the returnees from South Africa and formally hand them over to the minister upon arrival.
The ministry explained that the evacuation exercise is in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians living abroad and reflects its citizen-centred foreign policy.
“The Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, will be at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to receive the returnees on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria,” the statement said.
The ministry also announced that the ongoing screening and registration exercise being conducted by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria for citizens wishing to return voluntarily has been extended to June 14, 2026, to enable more affected Nigerians to participate in the evacuation programme.
It noted that the extension became necessary to accommodate additional Nigerians seeking to leave South Africa as a result of the security concerns arising from the xenophobic attacks.
The ministry reiterated that the protection of Nigerian citizens overseas remains a key pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy and a fundamental responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It further assured that adequate arrangements have been made by relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure the smooth reception, documentation, and reintegration of the returnees upon arrival.
The Federal Government also reaffirmed its commitment to providing support, dignity and care to Nigerians affected by crises abroad while continuing diplomatic engagements aimed at safeguarding the interests of its citizens wherever they reside.
