Nigeria assures full evacuation of citizens from South Africa by June 30

Nigeria's Federal Government has reassured its citizens in South Africa that all those wishing to return home will be evacuated before the June 30 deadline, amidst escalating anti-migrant attacks. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, stated that the Tinubu administration is committed to the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad.

The evacuation process is actively underway. The first batch of 258 Nigerians has already been airlifted and received in Lagos. Approximately 1,000 Nigerians have registered for evacuation, and efforts are being finalized to bring home the remaining citizens. This means over 742 individuals are expected to be repatriated in subsequent flights.

Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed serious concern over the reports of discrimination and attacks against Nigerians and other African migrants. Nigeria is pursuing diplomatic channels and exploring lawful options to address the situation. She noted that some affected Nigerians have deep ties in South Africa, including marriages and children born there, making the harassment particularly distressing.

The minister also criticized the perceived uneven treatment of Nigerian businesses in Nigeria compared to South African companies like MTN and MultiChoice operating in the country. Furthermore, she pointed out that South African authorities have not activated a crucial Memorandum of Understanding on an early warning mechanism, signed in October 2025, citing procedural issues. This failure, she suggested, has contributed to the ongoing security concerns and reputational damage to South Africa's image as a symbol of pan-African unity.

“

When it comes to situations like this, of course, it is necessary to be temperate and exercise caution. But when your citizens are being harassed… then it becomes a serious concern.