The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced June 30, 2026 as the deadline for the evacuation of Nigerian citizens willing to return from South Africa, following renewed concerns over xenophobic violence and rising insecurity affecting foreign nationals in parts of the country.
The evacuation exercise, which is being coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in Pretoria, is part of a broader voluntary repatriation programme designed to ensure the safe return of affected Nigerians who have expressed willingness to leave.
Officials say the initiative is being carried out under a structured registration and verification process to identify eligible returnees, prevent exploitation, and ensure orderly movement. According to government sources, several Nigerians have already begun returning in batches through government-supported evacuation flights.
The operation is being funded and facilitated by the Federal Government, with logistics support from designated partners, including Air Peace, which has been involved in previous emergency repatriation missions for Nigerians abroad.
Authorities explain that the June 30 deadline was set to allow sufficient time for screening, documentation, and transportation of all registered individuals, while also ensuring diplomatic coordination with South African authorities to maintain order during the process.
The Federal Government has repeatedly emphasized that the evacuation programme is voluntary, urging Nigerians in South Africa to register through official channels if they wish to return home. Officials also assured that ongoing diplomatic engagement between Abuja and Pretoria remains active, with both countries working to address underlying tensions affecting foreign residents.
