ABUJA — The Federal Government of Nigeria is moving forward with the organized repatriation of Nigerians from South Africa, following a surge in anti-immigrant unrest and safety concerns. President Bola Tinubu has approved a series of five emergency evacuation flights to be operated by Air Peace to bring citizens home.
Update on Repatriation Efforts
While initial plans aimed for a Monday departure, recent reports indicate that the first flight has been rescheduled. The operation is now set to commence on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, with the first aircraft expected to depart from Johannesburg.
This inaugural flight is projected to airlift approximately 270 Nigerians back to Lagos, contingent upon the finalization of necessary aviation permits and diplomatic clearances.
Screening and Verification Extended
To accommodate the high volume of citizens seeking safe passage, the Federal Government has extended the mandatory screening and verification period.
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New Deadline: The screening process at the Nigerian Mission in Pretoria will now continue until Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
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Current Status: Over 500 Nigerians have already been successfully screened and cleared for departure, out of more than 1,000 individuals who have registered for voluntary repatriation.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, stated that the extension is vital to ensuring that all interested citizens can complete their documentation securely. The Ministry continues to coordinate closely with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and relevant South African authorities to manage the logistics of this multi-flight operation.
