ABUJA – The Federal Government has resumed the evacuation of stranded Nigerian nationals from South Africa, with 271 citizens expected to arrive in the country on Tuesday.
The latest evacuation exercise, which commenced on Monday, June 29, 2026, is part of ongoing efforts by the government to assist Nigerians facing hardship abroad and facilitate their safe return home.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that an Air Peace aircraft was scheduled to depart Nigeria at 3:00 p.m. on Monday and arrive in South Africa at about 9:00 p.m. local time.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the return flight is expected to leave South Africa at 12:00 midnight and land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday morning.
The Ministry explained that the evacuation followed renewed efforts by the Federal Government to assist Nigerian nationals in South Africa who requested voluntary repatriation after facing financial hardship, immigration challenges and other personal difficulties.
The operation is being coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa and Air Peace, the designated airline handling the exercise.
The government said the exercise is in line with Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to providing consular assistance and ensuring the welfare and safe return of citizens in distress across the world.
The latest evacuation comes on the heels of similar repatriation exercises carried out by the Federal Government from various countries during periods of crisis and emergency.
The return of the 271 Nigerians is expected to further strengthen the government’s efforts to protect the interests of citizens abroad while enhancing consular services and welfare support for Nigerians in the diaspora.
