The Federal Government has set a June 30 deadline to evacuate Nigerians in South Africa, who have signified interest in returning home amid ongoing xenophobic attacks.
They have also warned that it may review options against South African businesses operating in Nigeria, including MTN, MultiChoice and Stanbic.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze.
The minister said the Tinubu administration remained committed to the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad and would ensure that no citizen willing to return from South Africa was left behind.
She said, “The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has assured that no Nigerian who has indicated interest in leaving South Africa would be left behind.
“She disclosed that so far, about 1,000 Nigerians have registered to be evacuated from South Africa before the June 30 deadline.
“According to her, the first batch of 258 Nigerian nationals has already been airlifted by the Federal Government from the troubled nation.
“The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb Sola Enikanolaiye, received the evacuees at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday, June 11, 2026, on behalf of the Federal Government.”
