The Federal Government has finalised arrangements to evacuate 270 Nigerians from South Africa in the latest phase of its voluntary repatriation programme, as xenophobia continues to fuel concerns among Nigerian residents in the country.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the returnees are expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos in the early hours of Wednesday, July 8, 2026, aboard an Air Peace aircraft assigned to the evacuation mission.
The operation forms part of the government’s continued efforts to assist Nigerians abroad who have expressed a willingness to return home due to security concerns, immigration challenges, economic hardship, and other humanitarian issues.
In a statement issued on Monday, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, confirmed the travel schedule for the evacuation.
He said, “In continuation of the ongoing evacuation of our nationals from South Africa, the Air Peace aircraft deployed for the process is expected to depart Lagos tomorrow, Tuesday 7 July, 2026, for Johannesburg, South Africa at 3.30 p.m.”
Ebienfa added, “The aircraft will depart Johannesburg for Lagos with 270 returnees at 12.00 midnight, and the estimated time of arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos is 5.00 a.m. on Wednesday, 8 July, 2026, all things being equal.”
The evacuation is being coordinated through the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria in collaboration with other relevant government agencies.
Fresh Xenophobia Concerns Drive Repatriation Efforts
The latest evacuation comes amid renewed concerns over xenophobia in South Africa, where anti-immigrant protests have raised fears among foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
In recent weeks, reports of rising tensions prompted several Nigerians to seek assistance from the Nigerian authorities, while others gathered at the country’s diplomatic mission in Pretoria to express concerns over their safety.
The Federal Government has repeatedly assured Nigerians living in South Africa that it remains committed to protecting their interests through diplomatic engagement and emergency response measures where necessary.
The ongoing repatriation exercise also reflects the government’s policy of supporting citizens who voluntarily choose to return home during periods of uncertainty abroad.
Air Peace Continues Government Evacuation Missions
Air Peace has remained a major partner in several government-assisted evacuation operations involving Nigerians stranded in different parts of the world.
The airline has previously transported citizens back to Nigeria during conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, and other crisis situations requiring urgent government intervention.
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The current mission follows another recent evacuation in which 269 Nigerians arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard an Air Peace flight from Johannesburg as part of the Federal Government’s coordinated response to the growing concerns linked to xenophobia in South Africa.
With another 270 citizens expected home on Wednesday, the Federal Government says it will continue working with relevant agencies to ensure Nigerians abroad who wish to return can do so safely and in an organised manner.
