By Abigail David
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians in South Africa that all citizens who have voluntarily indicated interest in returning home amid ongoing anti-migrant attacks will be evacuated before the June 30 deadline.
The assurance was given by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in a statement issued on Thursday by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze.
According to the minister, the Tinubu administration remains committed to the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad and will ensure that no willing evacuee is left behind.
She disclosed that the evacuation process is already underway, with the first batch of 258 Nigerians airlifted from South Africa and received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 11 by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said about 1,000 Nigerians had registered for evacuation, leaving more than 742 citizens expected to return to the country in the coming days.
She explained that President Bola Tinubu had directed that Nigerians facing harassment and insecurity in South Africa and willing to return home should receive immediate assistance.
The minister expressed concern over reports of discrimination and attacks targeting Nigerians and other African migrants, noting that Nigeria continues to engage South African authorities through diplomatic channels while exploring lawful options to address the situation.
She also questioned the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa despite the significant presence of South African businesses operating in Nigeria, stressing that such companies and their employees have continued to operate without similar restrictions.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu warned that the activities of anti-migrant vigilante groups were damaging South Africa’s international reputation and undermining the pan-African ideals championed by the late Nelson Mandela.
She further revealed that South African authorities were yet to activate a Memorandum of Understanding signed with Nigeria in October 2025 on an early warning mechanism designed to protect the lives and property of citizens of both countries during periods of tension.
The minister added that several African countries, including Ghana, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, have also begun evacuating their nationals from South Africa as concerns over the attacks continue to grow.
