By Zainab Bakare
The Federal Government says it has evacuated 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa following a series of xenophobic attacks and security concerns.
In a statement signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the ministry say the fifth and final evacuation flight departed Johannesburg on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, carrying 305 returnees and three government officials.
The Air Peace flight arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos the same day.
The ministry say the evacuation is carried out in partnership with Air Peace and South African Airways through seven humanitarian flights.
The exercise brought home 258 Nigerians on June 10, 66 on June 24, 272 on June 30, 268 on July 2, 282 on July 9, 39 on July 11, and 305 on July 15, bringing the total number of evacuees to 1,490.
According to the ministry, the operation followed sustained diplomatic engagement with the South African Government and is coordinated by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Port Health Services and other relevant agencies.
The Federal Government thanked Air Peace for supporting the evacuation and reiterated its commitment to citizens’ diplomacy, which places the welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad at the centre of the country’s foreign policy.
It also condemned xenophobia and violence against foreign nationals, pledged continued engagement with South Africa to promote the safety of Nigerians, and urged citizens living overseas to remain law-abiding and register with the nearest Nigerian diplomatic mission for easier access to consular assistance.
