The Federal Government will on Thursday receive the first batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, will receive the returnees at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on behalf of the Federal Government.
The ministry said the Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria in Pretoria, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, would accompany the 268 returnees on the evacuation flight operated by Air Peace and formally hand them over to the minister upon arrival.
The flight is expected to land in Lagos at about 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
The ministry also announced that the screening exercise for Nigerians seeking voluntary repatriation from South Africa has been extended until Sunday, June 14, 2026.
It stated that the exercise, being conducted by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, was extended to enable more affected citizens to register for evacuation.
The statement noted that the move reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians living abroad.
“The Ministry wishes to also inform that 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 safeguarding Nigerians overseas remains a key aspect of the country’s foreign policy and one of its core responsibilities.
It added that the government remains determined to ensure citizens affected by crises in foreign countries receive support, dignity and care.
The statement further assured Nigerians that relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies have completed arrangements for the reception, documentation and support of the returnees upon their arrival in the country.