The Federal Government has pledged to evacuate all Nigerians who have voluntarily registered to return from South Africa before the June 30 deadline, as anti-migrant attacks continue to rock the country.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, gave the assurance in a press statement on Thursday, emphasizing that the Tinubu administration remains committed to the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad.
Evacuation Underway
The evacuation exercise is already in motion, with the first batch of 258 Nigerians successfully airlifted from South Africa and received on June 11 by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.
According to the minister, approximately 1,000 Nigerians registered for evacuation, meaning over 742 citizens are expected to be brought home in the coming days.
Presidential Directive
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that Nigerians exposed to danger and harassment in South Africa who have voluntarily indicated interest in returning home should be assisted without delay. The president remains deeply concerned about reports of discrimination and attacks against Nigerians and other African migrants living in South Africa.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed dismay over what she described as the unequal treatment of Nigerians compared to the hospitality South African businesses enjoy in Nigeria.
“Nobody is asking them to provide proof of identity. Nobody is asking South African staff working there whether they are South Africans or Nigerians, and nobody is taking over their shops or businesses. But this is happening to Nigerians in South Africa,” she said.
She noted that over 120 South African companies, including MTN, MultiChoice, Stanbic, and Protea, operate freely across Nigeria.
Diplomatic Channels and Legal Options
The minister explained that Nigeria is continuing to engage South African authorities through diplomatic channels while exploring other lawful options to address the situation. Any further action would be taken in line with constitutional provisions and due legislative process.
Reputational Damage to South Africa
The minister lamented that anti-migrant vigilante groups have not only endangered lives and businesses but have also severely damaged South Africa’s image across Africa.
“This is causing reputational damage, and that is quite sad because the late Madiba, Nelson Mandela – God rest his soul – worked so hard to project South Africa as the bastion of pan-Africanism. And in one fell swoop, these anti-migrant vigilante groups have destroyed what this man sacrificed 28 years in prison for,” she said.
She added that concerts and conferences are being cancelled within South Africa itself, and the country now faces the stigma of being xenophobic.
Memorandum of Understanding Stalled
Odumegwu-Ojukwu revealed that South African authorities had declined to activate a Memorandum of Understanding signed with Nigeria in October 2025 on an early warning mechanism intended to protect citizens of both countries during periods of tension. South Africa later argued that those who signed the agreement lacked the authority to make it binding.
Regional Evacuations
Other African countries, including Ghana, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, have also begun evacuating their nationals from South Africa as concerns over the attacks continue to grow.
