The Nigerian Government has evacuated another batch of 105 distressed Nigerians from South Africa, following reported xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans in the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, on Friday.
Adeniyi said the returnees, comprising 82 adults and 23 children, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard South African Airways flight SA060 at about 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 24.
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He said officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant government agencies received the returnees.
According to him, the evacuation of 100 persons in the latest batch was funded from the $265,854 donated by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for the purchase of one-way tickets for the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
He added that the evacuation of the remaining five returnees was funded by a private Nigerian citizen.
The spokesperson said the Nigerian diplomatic mission was continuing engagements with the RCCG leadership in South Africa, as well as other philanthropic groups and individuals, to facilitate the return of other Nigerians currently undergoing preliminary clearance.
“Some other distressed Nigerians are currently undergoing preliminary clearance with our Consulate in Johannesburg and relevant South African authorities. They will be evacuated as soon as the process is finalised,” he said.
Adeniyi said the latest exercise was the 13th consular evacuation from South Africa since the programme began on June 10, 2026.
He disclosed that the exercise had so far brought the total number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa to 1,821, with the Federal Government fully funding the evacuation of 1,388 persons.
The Federal Government, he said, expressed “profound appreciation” to the RCCG, under the leadership of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, for its donation to support Nigerians seeking to return home because of distress and concerns over their safety.
It also appreciated other groups and individuals that had partnered with the government to assist Nigerians in distress in South Africa.
Adeniyi said the government viewed the collaboration as an example of how partnerships between public institutions and private organisations could help address social challenges and promote the common good.
“The Federal Government remains deeply concerned about persistent Xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa,” he said.
He added that the government remained committed to diplomatic efforts and other measures aimed at securing the cooperation of South African authorities to address xenophobia and Afrophobia and protect Nigerians living in the country.
“The Nigerian Government once again assures Nigerians in the diaspora that protecting their lives, rights, welfare, and dignity remains a priority,” Adeniyi said.
He urged Nigerians resident in South Africa to remain vigilant and law-abiding, while maintaining contact with the Nigerians in Pretoria and the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg for consular assistance when required.
