ABUJA — The Nigerian Federal Government has rescheduled the commencement of its evacuation exercise for citizens seeking to return from South Africa following a recent surge in xenophobic violence.

Evacuation Rescheduled

The first evacuation flight, originally slated for Monday evening, June 8, 2026, has been moved to Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa attributed the delay to "unforeseen logistical considerations," noting that the first flight which will be operated by Air Peace is expected to transport approximately 270 passengers.

The government’s plan, approved by President Bola Tinubu, involves the deployment of five total evacuation flights to bring home Nigerian nationals who have expressed interest in voluntary repatriation.

Extension of Screening Exercise

In conjunction with the flight rescheduling, the government has extended the registration and screening deadline for Nigerian nationals in South Africa until Wednesday, June 10, 2026. This extension aims to accommodate the high volume of citizens seeking to participate in the process.

Key figures regarding the ongoing repatriation effort include:

  • Over 1,000 Registrants: Reports indicate that at least 1,094 Nigerians have registered interest in returning home, marking a significant increase from initial figures.

  • 500+ Cleared: More than 500 citizens have already undergone screening and received clearance for evacuation.

  • Joint Oversight: The screening is being conducted by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria in cooperation with South African authorities, including the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, immigration services, and the South African Police.

Context of the Tensions

The voluntary repatriation program is a direct response to a renewed wave of anti-immigrant protests and attacks across South Africa. These incidents, fueled by economic frustrations and high unemployment rates, have led several African governments including Ghana and Mozambique to facilitate the evacuation of their citizens.

While South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the violence and pledged to address the issues surrounding illegal migration, many foreign nationals have opted to leave due to persistent safety concerns and an ominous "June 30" deadline circulated by anti-foreigner groups for foreign nationals to leave certain areas. The Nigerian government has assured that these flights will be provided free of charge to the evacuees.