The Federal Government says it will evacuate all Nigerians who have expressed willingness to return from South Africa following recent anti-migrant attacks in the country, assuring that no citizen will be left behind.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, gave the assurance in a statement issued on Thursday by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze.
She said the Tinubu administration remains committed to the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad, especially those facing harassment and insecurity.
According to her, evacuation efforts are already ongoing, with the first batch of 258 Nigerians airlifted from South Africa and received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 11.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed that about 1,000 Nigerians had registered for evacuation, adding that arrangements were being concluded to bring back the remaining returnees before the June 30 deadline.
She explained that over 700 Nigerians are expected to be evacuated in subsequent batches.
President Bola Tinubu, she said, had directed that Nigerians in South Africa who voluntarily opted to return due to threats and harassment should be assisted without delay.
The minister expressed concern over rising discrimination and attacks against Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa, noting that the Federal Government is engaging South African authorities through diplomatic channels.
She also revealed that Nigeria had explored regional cooperation mechanisms, including an early warning arrangement signed in October 2025, which she said South African authorities had not fully activated due to procedural issues.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu further noted that other African countries, including Ghana, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, had also begun evacuating their citizens over similar concerns.
She reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens wherever they are in the world, stressing that diplomatic efforts were ongoing to address the situation and prevent further escalation.
