Another batch of 114 distressed Nigerian nationals have been evacuated from South Africa amid concerns over Xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in the country.
Spokesperson to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oluwafemi Adeniyi announced this in a statement on Friday.
The group, comprising 57 men, 23 women and 34 children, arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways (SAA) Flight SA060 at approximately 20:30 hours on Thursday, 22 October 2026.
The returnees were received upon arrival by the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and other relevant Federal Government agencies.
Their one-way tickets were fully funded from the Two Hundred and Sixty-Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Four US Dollars ($265,854.00) donated by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) to support the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa. With this latest batch, the Church has funded the evacuation of a total of 432 Nigerian nationals.
The Federal Government expressed its profound appreciation to the RCCG, under the leadership of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for its charitable financial support towards the humanitarian exercise.
The latest operation marks the sixteenth (16th) consular evacuation since the commencement of the ongoing exercise on 10th June 2026, bringing the total number of Nigerian nationals evacuated from South Africa to 2,151. Of this number, the Federal Government of Nigeria fully funded the return of 1,388 nationals.
The Federal Government reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of all forms of Xenophobic and Afrophobic hostilities directed at foreign nationals, including Nigerians, in South Africa. It further called on the relevant South African authorities to take decisive measures to protect all persons, irrespective of nationality, and ensure that perpetrators of violence against foreign nationals are held accountable.
While sustaining engagement with relevant stakeholders, including South African authorities, to address Xenophobia and Afrophobia, and promote the safety and welfare of Nigerians residing in South Africa, the Federal Government advised Nigerians in the country to abide by local laws, remain vigilant and prioritise personal safety.
They were also urged to maintain regular contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg for consular assistance whenever necessary.
