Xenophobia: FG continues to screen Nigerians in South Africa for evacuation until June 10.
The federal government has extended the screening exercise for Nigerian nationals in South Africa who have indicated interest in returning home, with the exercise now scheduled to end on June 10, 2026.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this on Sunday, saying the extension followed ongoing efforts to process all interested Nigerians seeking evacuation.
According to the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the decision was communicated by Nigeria’s Mission in Pretoria.
On Saturday, Ebienfa announced that the screening exercise for Nigerians in South Africa who registered for evacuation amid renewed xenophobic attacks had concluded.
The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the South African Police, and immigration authorities are all participating in the exercise, which he said started on Thursday.
He clarified that the government would make final arrangements for the deployment of aircraft to return Nigerians home after the screening process determined the precise number of Nigerians cleared for evacuation.
But Ebienfa revealed in a new update that the screening process had been prolonged by four more days.
“I just received confirmation from our Mission in Pretoria that the screening exercise of Nigerian nationals who have indicated interest in being evacuated back home has been extended to Wednesday, June 10th, 2026,” he stated.
Over 500 Nigerians have been screened and approved for evacuation thus far, according to Ebienfa.
He said, “Over 500 people have been screened and cleared so far.”
In order to facilitate the return of impacted Nigerians, he also revealed that President Bola Tinubu had authorized five evacuation flights, which would be operated by domestic carrier Air Peace.
“Mr. President has approved five evacuation flights that will be operated by Air Peace,” he said. “If the necessary permits and clearance are secured for the aircraft, the first flight, which will airlift about 270 passengers, is expected to leave Johannesburg on Monday evening.”
The federal government’s efforts to support Nigerians who have chosen to return home from South Africa in the wake of fresh xenophobic attacks against African migrants include the evacuation plan.
