The Federal Government has finalised plans to evacuate 270 Nigerian citizens from South Africa as part of its ongoing voluntary repatriation programme for nationals who wish to return home.
The returnees are scheduled to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, in the early hours of Wednesday aboard an Air Peace aircraft designated for the mission.
The evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s continued efforts, coordinated through the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and other relevant agencies, to assist Nigerians facing various challenges in South Africa.
Confirming the arrangement, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, disclosed in a statement on Monday that the evacuation flight would depart Lagos on Tuesday afternoon before returning with the evacuees overnight.
According to the ministry, the aircraft is expected to leave Lagos for Johannesburg at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
“In continuation of the ongoing evacuation of our nationals from South Africa, the Air Peace aircraft deployed for the process is expected to depart Lagos tomorrow, Tuesday 7 July, 2026, for Johannesburg, South Africa at 3.30 p.m.
“The aircraft will depart Johannesburg for Lagos with 270 returnees at 12.00 midnight, and the estimated time of arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos is 5.00 a.m. on Wednesday, 8 July, 2026, all things being equal,” the statement read.
The latest operation adds to a series of evacuation exercises undertaken by the Federal Government over the years to assist Nigerians stranded abroad due to insecurity, immigration challenges, economic hardship and humanitarian crises.
Air Peace has consistently partnered with the government in several emergency evacuation missions, including the repatriation of Nigerians from countries affected by conflicts and other emergencies.
Officials said the latest exercise demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring the safe return of citizens who have expressed a desire to leave South Africa.
The development comes amid renewed concerns over xenophobic tensions and anti-immigrant protests in South Africa, which have heightened anxiety among members of the Nigerian community.
Recently, the Federal Government assured Nigerians still residing in South Africa that efforts were being made to guarantee their safety despite the rising tensions.
The assurance followed reports that some Nigerians staged protests at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria over concerns about their welfare and security.
The latest evacuation also follows the successful return of another batch of 269 Nigerians, who arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos aboard an Air Peace flight from Johannesburg in a previous government-coordinated operation.
That exercise marked the second large-scale evacuation mission organised by the Federal Government within a few weeks as authorities continue to respond to the concerns of Nigerians living in South Africa.
