The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, is set to receive the first batch of 268 Nigerians being evacuated from South Africa on Thursday, following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in the country.
Evacuation Details
The Federal Government confirmed that the returnees are expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos aboard an Air Peace evacuation flight, scheduled to land at approximately 5:00 a.m. local time.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Enikanolaiye will welcome the evacuees on behalf of the Federal Government, underscoring Nigeria's commitment to the welfare and protection of its citizens abroad.
Official Reception
The ministry disclosed that the Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, will accompany the 268 passengers from Pretoria and formally hand them over to the minister upon arrival in Lagos. The reception reflects the importance the Federal Government places on the well-being of Nigerians living outside the country and aligns with its citizen-focused foreign policy objectives.
“In demonstration of the importance attached to the well-being of Nigerians abroad and the Federal Government’s 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 ministry stated.
Extension of Screening Exercise
The ministry also announced an extension of the screening exercise being conducted by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria for citizens willing to return home voluntarily. The exercise, initially scheduled to close earlier, will now continue until June 14 to enable more Nigerians affected by the crisis to register for evacuation.
“The ongoing screening exercise by the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria for Nigerian nationals willing to voluntarily return to the country due to the ongoing xenophobic attacks has been extended to Sunday, 14th June 2026, to accommodate more persons,” the ministry said.
Reintegration Support
Comprehensive arrangements have been made to receive the returnees, including documentation, profiling, and support services to facilitate their reintegration and reunion with family members. The ministry added that relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies have been mobilised to ensure a seamless reception process and provide necessary assistance to those affected by the violence.
Context of the Evacuation
The evacuation follows a fresh wave of anti-foreigner attacks in parts of South Africa, which prompted hundreds of Nigerians to indicate interest in returning home. Nigerian authorities recently confirmed that more than 1,000 citizens had sought voluntary repatriation amid fears for their safety.
This operation revives memories of a similar exercise in 2019 when hundreds of Nigerians were airlifted home after widespread xenophobic violence strained diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa. Air Peace also played a key role in that evacuation effort.
The Federal Government reiterated that protecting Nigerians overseas remains a central pillar of the country’s foreign policy and pledged continued support for citizens affected by crises in foreign countries.
