FGN
Susan Abayomi
The Federal Government of Nigeria has rescheduled the arrival of the first evacuation flight bringing citizens home from South Africa to Thursday morning, June 11, 2026, following a delay caused by logistical and administrative hurdles. The flight, operated by Air Peace, will depart Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport on Wednesday night and is expected to land at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at approximately 5 a.m. on Thursday.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said the postponement from the original Monday date to Wednesday night was due to “unforeseen logistical considerations,” including securing landing permits and completing screening of returnees. The screening exercise for Nigerians who indicated interest in voluntary repatriation was extended to Wednesday, June 10, to allow more applicants to complete verification.
President Bola Tinubu approved five evacuation flights to be operated by Air Peace, with the first expected to airlift about 270 passengers. More than 500 Nigerians have been screened and cleared so far, though officials say over 1,000 have registered to return following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa.
The evacuation is fully funded by the Federal Government, and no affected Nigerian will pay for the trip home. Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria negotiated waivers with South African authorities so that returnees with “immigration-related offences” would be allowed to leave rather than be detained.
Upon arrival in Lagos, returnees will undergo documentation and profiling procedures and receive necessary assistance and support before being reunited with their families. Relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies have been mobilised to handle reception and reintegration.
The government reiterated its commitment to the welfare and protection of citizens abroad, noting that the airlift operation will continue until all Nigerians who wish to leave South Africa are repatriated. The move follows Ghana’s recent repatriation of hundreds of its citizens from South Africa amid similar tensions.
