By Fatima Saka
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to safeguard Nigerians abroad, as the Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, is set to personally receive 268 Nigerian returnees evacuated from South Africa.
The evacuation flight, operated by Air Peace Airlines, is scheduled to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
The first batch of evacuees will be escorted to Nigeria by the Acting High Commissioner in Pretoria, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, who will formally hand them over to the Minister on behalf of the Federal Government.
The development underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to a citizen-centred foreign policy and its resolve to protect Nigerians affected by the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
In a related update, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the screening exercise for Nigerians willing to voluntarily return home has been extended to Sunday, June 14, 2026. The extension is aimed at accommodating more affected citizens seeking evacuation.
According to a statement signed by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the government has put in place comprehensive reception, documentation, and reintegration arrangements for the returnees through relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
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The Ministry emphasized that the move reflects the priority accorded to the safety, dignity, and welfare of Nigerians overseas, reaffirming its responsibility to provide timely support to citizens in distress.
The evacuation exercise marks a coordinated national response to the crisis and highlights Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to ensure no citizen is left behind in times of international emergencies.
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