FG Vows To Evacuate Nigerians Willing To Leave South Africa Amid Rising Concerns

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, conveyed the assurance in a statement issued on Thursday through her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, noting that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to safeguarding the welfare and security of Nigerians abroad.

She disclosed that evacuation efforts were already in progress, with the first batch of 258 Nigerians successfully airlifted from South Africa and received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 11 by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.

According to her, about 1,000 Nigerians have so far registered for evacuation, while arrangements are being concluded to bring back the remaining citizens, with over 742 expected to return in the coming days before the deadline.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that President Tinubu had directed that Nigerians facing intimidation, harassment, and security threats in South Africa who voluntarily opt to return should be assisted without delay. She added that the Federal Government is also engaging South African authorities diplomatically while exploring other lawful measures to address the situation.

The minister expressed concern over the treatment of Nigerians, noting that many affected individuals have lived in South Africa for years, built families, and in some cases have spouses and children who know no other home.

She further questioned the perceived disparity in treatment of Nigerians compared to South African nationals operating in Nigeria, referencing the presence of over 120 South African companies in the country, including MTN, MultiChoice, Stanbic IBTC, and Protea, without similar scrutiny of their personnel.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu also warned that the activities of anti-migrant vigilante groups were damaging South Africa’s international image, adding that growing perceptions of xenophobia were already affecting business activities and public events in the country.

She revealed that South African authorities had declined to activate a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding on an early warning mechanism, citing procedural and authorization issues.

The minister further noted that several African countries, including Ghana, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, had also begun evacuating their citizens from South Africa amid rising concerns.

She reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring the safe return of all willing Nigerians before the June 30 evacuation deadline.