FGN
Bolatito Mercy
The Federal Government has commenced a full-scale evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks and anti-immigration protests that have targeted foreign-owned businesses and communities. The crisis escalated after thousands of South Africans took to the streets in Johannesburg and Pretoria in April 2026, demanding mass deportations and accusing migrants of worsening unemployment and pressure on public services. Nigerians, alongside nationals from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, and Ghana, have been singled out in violent demonstrations that involved looting and harassment.
Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu said Nigeria is “not happy” with how South African authorities have handled the situation, rejecting claims that most affected Nigerians are illegal migrants. She noted Nigeria’s historic sacrifices for South Africa’s liberation struggle and stressed that “they are not asking other migrants to leave; they’re only asking black migrants to leave”. The minister confirmed evacuation is the government’s priority and did not rule out retaliatory measures against South African interests in Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu approved five evacuation flights to be operated by Air Peace, with more than 500 Nigerians already screened and cleared by the High Commission in Pretoria. The first flight, carrying about 270 evacuees, was scheduled to depart Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday night, June 11, 2026, and arrive at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, around 5:00 a.m. Thursday. The exercise was fully funded by the Federal Government, with no cost to returnees.
Logistics delayed the initial timeline. The first batch was originally set for Monday, June 8, but “unforeseen logistical considerations” pushed it to Wednesday. Over 1,000 Nigerians have registered for voluntary repatriation, and screening was extended to Wednesday, June 10, 2026, to accommodate more applicants. The Ministry said MDAs have mobilized to provide reception, documentation, profiling, and reintegration support for returnees.
The Nigerian High Commission is working with South African immigration, police, and diplomatic authorities to secure waivers for Nigerians with immigration-related offences, allowing them to leave through official repatriation rather than face arrest. Officials emphasized that many evacuees are legitimate business owners and students, not undocumented migrants. The latest unrest has affected schools, with reports of bullying and harassment of Nigerian children.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the attacks in a televised address, vowing to crack down on illegal migration while rejecting the notion that illegal migration must be tolerated. However, diplomatic tensions have spiked, with Nigeria threatening retaliatory steps. This is not the first evacuation: in 2019, Air Peace also repatriated 187 Nigerians after similar attacks.
The evacuation underscores recurring xenophobic violence in South Africa, with three major waves since 2008. Despite South Africa’s status as a regional economic hub, Statistics South Africa puts foreign nationals at 2.4 million, or 3.7% of the population, as of 2022. For Nigeria, the government says it “cannot stand by and watch the systematic harassment and humiliation” of its citizens, and evacuation will continue until all willing nationals are home.
