FG Begins Evacuation of Nigerians From South Africa

By Babatunji Wusu| The Federal Government has started arrangements to evacuate Nigerians willing to return from South Africa following a fresh wave of anti-immigrant tensions that has displaced hundreds of foreign nationals and raised concerns over possible xenophobic attacks.

As part of the Nigeria evacuation programme, authorities on Thursday commenced the registration and screening of interested citizens seeking voluntary repatriation. Government officials expect the number of participants to exceed 1,000 as more Nigerians continue to indicate interest in returning home.

Speaking on Friday, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed that the final number of registrants was still being compiled.

“Total figure not out yet. We are expecting over 1,000 persons,” Ebienfa told AFP.

The Nigeria evacuation programme comes amid growing uncertainty among migrant communities in South Africa, where anti-foreigner sentiments and protests have reportedly intensified in recent weeks. The situation has sparked fears among many foreign residents, prompting some to seek assistance from their home governments.

Officials said the repatriation exercise is designed to provide a safe and organised return for Nigerians who no longer feel secure or wish to remain in the country due to the rising tensions.

The development follows similar action by Ghana, which recently initiated plans to evacuate its citizens from South Africa in response to concerns over the safety of foreign nationals.

The Federal Government has not yet announced a specific timeline for the evacuation, but preparations are said to be progressing as authorities continue to process applications and verify the identities of prospective returnees.

With registration ongoing, officials are working to ensure that all eligible participants are captured under the Nigeria evacuation programme, while monitoring developments in South Africa closely.

The move reflects the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad and providing support during periods of uncertainty and security concerns.