FG vows to evacuate all Nigerians willing to leave South Africa before June 30

The Federal Government has assured Nigerians residing in South Africa that all citizens who have indicated interest in returning home amid ongoing anti-migrant attacks will be evacuated before the June 30 deadline.

The assurance was given by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in a statement issued on Thursday through her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze.

According to the minister, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad and will ensure that no citizen willing to return from South Africa is left behind.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed that the evacuation exercise is already in progress, noting that the first batch of 258 Nigerians was successfully airlifted from South Africa and received in Lagos on June 11 by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.

She revealed that approximately 1,000 Nigerians have registered for evacuation, meaning more than 742 citizens are expected to return home in the coming days.

The minister said President Tinubu had directed that Nigerians facing danger, harassment and discrimination in South Africa and who voluntarily wish to return should receive immediate assistance.

She expressed concern over reports of attacks targeting Nigerians and other African migrants, describing the situation as troubling, particularly for families who have lived in South Africa for many years.

“Some of them are married to South Africans and have children who have known no other home but South Africa. Under these circumstances, they are being asked to leave alongside their families,” she said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu also questioned what she described as unequal treatment of Nigerians despite the significant presence of South African businesses operating in Nigeria.

According to her, more than 120 South African companies currently operate in Nigeria across sectors including telecommunications, banking, hospitality and entertainment.

“Nobody is asking South African staff working in Nigeria to prove their nationality, nor are their businesses being targeted. Yet Nigerians in South Africa are facing harassment and intimidation,” she stated.

The minister further lamented the reputational damage the attacks have inflicted on South Africa, arguing that they undermine the pan-African ideals championed by Nelson Mandela.

She disclosed that South African authorities had declined to activate a Memorandum of Understanding signed with Nigeria in October 2025, which was designed to serve as an early warning mechanism for protecting citizens of both countries during periods of tension.

According to her, South Africa later claimed that officials who signed the agreement lacked the authority to make it binding.

The minister added that several African countries, including Ghana, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, have also begun evacuating their citizens as concerns over anti-migrant attacks continue to mount.

She reaffirmed that Nigeria would continue diplomatic engagements with South African authorities while exploring lawful options to safeguard the rights and welfare of its citizens.