By Chiagoziem Abosi
Edited by Bababunmi Agbebi
The Federal Government has extended the screening and verification exercise for Nigerians seeking evacuation from South Africa following renewed xenophobic tensions, with more than 500 citizens already cleared for return.
The extension, announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shifts the deadline for the exercise to June 10, 2026, allowing authorities to process additional Nigerians who have indicated interest in returning home.
The development comes amid growing concerns over the safety of foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, where renewed anti-immigration sentiments and xenophobic incidents have raised fears among African migrants, including Nigerians.
According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, more than 500 Nigerians have successfully completed the screening process and have been approved for evacuation.
The verification exercise is being conducted by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria in collaboration with South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, immigration authorities, and the South African Police Service. The process is intended to confirm the identities of applicants and determine the exact number of Nigerians eligible for evacuation.
Officials say the extension became necessary to accommodate additional applicants and ensure that all interested Nigerians are properly documented before the evacuation begins.
As part of the government’s response, President Bola Tinubu has approved five evacuation flights to bring affected Nigerians home.
The flights will be operated by Air Peace, with the first batch expected to airlift approximately 270 passengers from Johannesburg once all operational clearances and permits are secured.
However, fresh reports indicate that the departure of the first evacuation flight has been rescheduled to allow for additional logistical arrangements and regulatory approvals.
The Federal Government has assured evacuees that further details regarding flight schedules and arrival times will be communicated through the Nigerian mission in South Africa.
This is not the first time Nigeria has had to evacuate citizens from South Africa following outbreaks of xenophobic violence.
Over the years, attacks targeting foreign nationals have periodically strained relations across the continent and raised questions about the safety and integration of migrant communities in South Africa.
For many Nigerians living there, the latest evacuation exercise represents more than a journey home. It reflects growing concerns about personal safety, economic uncertainty, and the future of African migration within the continent.
With the verification exercise now extended until June 10, authorities are expected to finalize the number of eligible evacuees before the phased airlift begins.
For hundreds of Nigerians who have already completed the process, the focus now shifts to returning home safely and rebuilding their lives after a period marked by uncertainty and fear.
The Federal Government says it remains committed to protecting the welfare of Nigerians abroad and ensuring that those wishing to return home are assisted through an orderly and secure evacuation process.
