FG To Receive 268 Nigerians Evacuated From South Africa Today

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, will on Thursday (today) receive 268 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks in the country.

Naija News reports that the returnees are expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard an Air Peace evacuation flight.

According to Enikanolaiye, the flight is scheduled to land at about 5:00 a.m.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.

According to the statement, Enikanolaiye will represent the Federal Government in receiving the returnees.

The Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria in Pretoria, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, will escort the first batch of 268 passengers to Nigeria and formally hand them over to the minister.

The ministry also said the ongoing screening of Nigerians willing to voluntarily return home due to the xenophobic attacks had been extended to Sunday, June 14, 2026.

It said the extension was to accommodate more affected persons who wished to leave South Africa.

According to the ministry, the decision reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad.

The ministry assured that relevant ministries, departments and agencies had made adequate arrangements for the returnees.

It said that reception, documentation, and support measures had been put in place for the evacuees upon their arrival in Lagos.