Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
The Federal Government of Nigeria has evacuated another 111 distressed Nigerian citizens from South Africa amid concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks, bringing the total number of Nigerians evacuated under the ongoing exercise to 2,037.
The latest group arrived in Lagos on Thursday, October 8, 2026, aboard South African Airways flight SA060, according to a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, October 11.
The returnees comprised 44 men, 23 women and 44 children. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other federal government agencies received them on arrival.
The latest evacuation highlights Nigeria’s continuing efforts to assist citizens who wish to leave South Africa amid concerns about their safety and the wider tensions surrounding attacks against foreign nationals.
The Federal Government said the exercise was supported by a $265,854 donation from the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), which committed funds to help repatriate 500 distressed Nigerians from the country.
Main Development: 111 Nigerians Return Home
The latest evacuation represents another phase of Nigeria’s ongoing consular response to concerns affecting its citizens in South Africa.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the 111 returnees travelled to Lagos on October 8 and were received by representatives of government agencies responsible for foreign affairs, diaspora engagement, emergency management and the protection of vulnerable people.
Their arrival brought the total number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa since the exercise began on June 10, 2026, to 2,037.
The ministry said the latest operation was the 15th consular evacuation conducted under the programme.
Consular evacuations are organised to help citizens return home when circumstances abroad raise serious concerns about their safety, welfare or ability to remain in their host country.
In this case, the Nigerian government has linked the exercise to concerns about xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.
Xenophobia refers to hostility or prejudice towards people perceived as foreigners, while Afrophobia describes prejudice or hostility directed at people because of their African origin or identity. The terms can overlap when African migrants are targeted because they come from other African countries.
The Nigerian government’s evacuation programme offers an option for citizens who have registered and completed the required procedures to return home.
However, the evacuation figures do not establish that every returnee was personally attacked or that all Nigerians living in South Africa face the same circumstances. The programme covers distressed citizens seeking assistance amid wider safety concerns.
RCCG Funds the Latest Evacuation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the latest batch of 111 Nigerians was evacuated with financial support from the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
The church had donated $265,854 to support the return of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
The contribution forms part of a partnership between the church and the Nigerian government to assist citizens seeking voluntary repatriation.
According to the ministry, the latest arrival brought the number of Nigerians whose one-way air tickets had been funded by the RCCG to 318.
This leaves 182 tickets to be covered under the church’s stated commitment to fund travel for 500 people.
The arrangement demonstrates how private religious organisations can support government-led humanitarian and consular initiatives when citizens require assistance abroad.
International evacuations can involve expenses associated with airline tickets, coordination, documentation and arrangements for receiving returnees. Financial contributions from partners can help reduce the burden on public resources and make additional travel assistance possible.
The ministry expressed appreciation to the RCCG under the leadership of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye for its financial support.
The donation is specifically intended to support the repatriation exercise. It should not be confused with a broader government budget allocation or interpreted as evidence that every cost associated with the wider evacuation programme is being paid by the church.
The ministry’s figures also distinguish between the number of citizens evacuated overall and those whose travel costs were covered through the church’s contribution.
How Many Nigerians Have Been Evacuated?
The latest figures provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offer an update on the scale of the operation.
As of October 11, the government said a total of 2,037 Nigerians had been evacuated from South Africa since the programme commenced on June 10, 2026.
Of that number, 1,388 had their repatriation costs fully covered by the Federal Government.
The latest 111 returnees were supported by the RCCG’s donation, according to the ministry.
The distinction between government-funded evacuations and travel supported by external donations is important for understanding how the programme has been financed.
It also shows the scale of coordination required when a large number of citizens seek assistance in another country.
The evacuation programme has involved Nigerian diplomatic missions, government departments, airlines and other participating organisations.
Before travelling, citizens must complete relevant verification and clearance procedures. These processes help authorities establish the identities of returnees and coordinate arrangements with the relevant parties.
The government has not indicated in the latest announcement that all Nigerians who may wish to leave South Africa have been evacuated.
Instead, the exercise continues to focus on eligible citizens who register for assistance and complete the required procedures.
Background: Xenophobia and Afrophobia in South Africa
South Africa has experienced recurring anti-immigrant tensions, including protests and incidents of violence directed at foreign nationals.
Migrants from other African countries, including Nigeria, have sometimes found themselves at the centre of disputes over employment, business competition, crime and access to public services.
These issues exist within a wider social and economic environment shaped by unemployment, inequality and pressure on public resources.
However, blaming foreign nationals collectively for these challenges is not a substitute for evidence-based analysis of their causes.
Claims that migrants are responsible for unemployment or crime should be assessed using reliable evidence rather than assumptions about nationality.
South Africa also has a long history of migration from other African countries, with foreign nationals contributing to commerce, professional services, education and other areas of economic activity.
Nigerians living in South Africa have established businesses, pursued education and participated in various professional sectors. Their experiences differ depending on their legal status, occupation, location and individual circumstances.
When anti-immigrant hostility develops into threats, intimidation, looting or physical attacks, the consequences can extend beyond the immediate victims.
Affected communities may experience economic losses, disruption to education and employment, displacement and reduced confidence in local protection systems.
Such incidents can also strain diplomatic relations between South Africa and countries whose citizens are affected.
The Nigerian government’s evacuation programme is one response to these concerns. It allows citizens who feel unsafe or otherwise distressed to seek assistance returning home.
However, evacuations alone cannot resolve the underlying causes of xenophobia. Longer-term solutions require effective law enforcement, public education, protection of the rights of foreign nationals and cooperation between governments.
Nigeria Continues Diplomatic Engagement With South Africa
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Federal Government remained committed to engaging relevant stakeholders, including South African authorities, to address xenophobia and Afrophobia.
The stated objective is to promote the safety, welfare and dignity of Nigerians living in the country.
Diplomatic engagement is important because Nigeria and South Africa maintain significant political, economic and people-to-people ties.
Both countries are influential African states and have roles in regional diplomacy, continental cooperation and efforts to promote economic development.
Tensions involving their citizens can therefore have implications beyond individual incidents.
Nigeria’s approach combines consular assistance for citizens seeking to return home with diplomatic engagement aimed at addressing the conditions prompting concern.
These responsibilities are related but distinct. Evacuation provides immediate assistance to people who wish to leave, while diplomacy seeks to engage the host government and other stakeholders on wider safety and protection issues.
Effective cooperation also requires clear communication about reported attacks, the investigation of criminal conduct and appropriate responses from law enforcement agencies.
The Nigerian government has not said that the latest evacuation resolves the concerns affecting Nigerians who remain in South Africa.
Its statement instead reaffirmed the need for continued engagement and assistance where circumstances warrant.
Government Advises Nigerians in South Africa to Remain Vigilant
Alongside the evacuation announcement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised Nigerians living in South Africa to remain vigilant, obey local laws and prioritise their personal safety.
It also urged citizens to maintain contact with Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg.
These diplomatic missions serve as important points of contact for Nigerians seeking consular assistance.
Depending on the circumstances, consular support can include guidance on documentation, communication with relevant authorities and assistance to citizens experiencing difficulties abroad.
Maintaining contact with diplomatic missions can help officials communicate relevant information and respond more effectively when citizens request assistance.
The ministry’s advice also places responsibility on individuals to take reasonable precautions while recognising that the protection of foreign nationals remains an important responsibility for the host country’s authorities.
Following local laws does not remove a person’s right to protection from violence or discrimination.
Likewise, allegations of criminal conduct by individual foreign nationals should be addressed through lawful procedures rather than collective punishment based on nationality.
These distinctions are important in discussions about migration, public safety and relations between communities.
What the Evacuation Means for Returnees
For the 111 Nigerians who arrived in Lagos, the evacuation marks their return to Nigeria after seeking assistance amid concerns about their circumstances in South Africa.
The group included 44 men, 23 women and 44 children, meaning children accounted for a substantial proportion of the latest returnees.
Their arrival required coordination among multiple federal agencies responsible for receiving and processing citizens returning from abroad.
The ministry confirmed that the returnees were received by officials from the relevant agencies, although the announcement did not provide individual accounts of their experiences or detailed information about their subsequent arrangements.
It would therefore be inaccurate to assume that all members of the group had experienced the same difficulties or required identical forms of support.
The needs of returnees can vary. Some may need assistance reconnecting with family members, while others may require help navigating documentation, accommodation or reintegration challenges.
The government’s announcement did not provide a detailed breakdown of post-arrival assistance for this particular group.
Further information from the relevant authorities would be needed to establish what specific support was provided after their arrival.
The presence of children among the returnees also underlines the importance of ensuring that reception arrangements take account of the needs of families and vulnerable travellers.
Why the Development Matters
The evacuation is significant for three main reasons: the safety of Nigerian citizens abroad, the country’s diplomatic relationship with South Africa and the practical challenges of responding to xenophobic violence.
First, the return of another 111 citizens demonstrates that consular assistance remains an active concern for the Nigerian government.
The total of 2,037 returnees indicates the scale of the ongoing exercise, although it does not establish how many Nigerians remain interested in returning or how many continue to face specific threats.
Second, the programme highlights the role of diplomatic missions in supporting citizens outside Nigeria.
For a country with a large diaspora population, the ability to communicate with citizens, respond to emergencies and coordinate voluntary returns is an important element of foreign policy.
Third, the RCCG’s contribution demonstrates how partnerships between government and non-governmental organisations can help finance humanitarian assistance.
Such cooperation can be valuable, but transparent reporting on funding, eligibility and the number of people assisted remains important for public accountability.
The wider issue is how Nigeria and South Africa can work together to prevent attacks against foreign nationals while ensuring that individual criminal allegations are handled through lawful processes.
Protecting citizens abroad does not necessarily require ending legitimate migration or weakening bilateral relations. It requires practical measures that uphold public safety and the rights of people living and working in another country.
What Happens Next?
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its intention to continue working with South African authorities and other stakeholders to address xenophobia and Afrophobia.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also indicated that consular assistance would remain available to Nigerians who require it.
The latest announcement did not provide a date for another evacuation flight or confirm the final number of people who may participate in future operations.
Further evacuations would depend on the needs of eligible citizens, the completion of verification and clearance procedures, available travel arrangements and coordination with the relevant authorities.
Nigerians who remain in South Africa have been advised to stay vigilant and maintain contact with the Nigerian diplomatic missions in Pretoria and Johannesburg.
For the two countries, the longer-term priority is to ensure that concerns involving foreign nationals are addressed through effective law enforcement, diplomatic cooperation and respect for human dignity.
The arrival of the latest 111 returnees provides immediate assistance to those who have come home. Whether the wider situation improves will depend on developments beyond the evacuation programme, including the response to reported attacks and efforts to prevent further violence.
Weng Global – stories beyond borders
Sources
- Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria — Statement on the evacuation of 111 Nigerians from South Africa, October 11, 2026.
- Voice of Nigeria — Reporting on the latest evacuation and the total number of returnees.
- TVC News — Reporting on the evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
- Reuters — Reporting on anti-migrant protests and xenophobic tensions in South Africa.
