The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has been scheduled to personally receive the first batch of 268 Nigerians being evacuated from South Africa following the recent wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, saying the minister would be at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to welcome the returnees on behalf of the Federal Government.
According to the statement, the reception of the evacuees reflects the importance attached by the government to the welfare of Nigerians abroad and its commitment to a citizen-centred foreign policy.
“In demonstration of the importance attached to the well-being of Nigerians abroad and the Federal Government’s citizen-centred foreign policy, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, will be at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to receive the returnees on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.” The Ministry stated
It further revealed that the Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria in Pretoria, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, would accompany the evacuees on their journey back home.
“The Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria in Pretoria, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, is expected to escort the first batch of 268 passengers to the country and hand them over to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. The estimated time of arrival of the evacuation flight operated by Air Peace Airlines is 5.00am on Thursday 11th June, 2026,” the statement added.
The Ministry also announced an extension of the screening exercise being conducted by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria for citizens who wish to return voluntarily because of the attacks.
Furthermore, it stated that “the ongoing screening exercise by the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria for Nigerian nationals willing to voluntarily return to the country due to the ongoing xenophobic attacks has been extended to Sunday, 14th June 2026, to accommodate more persons.”
According to the statement, the extension demonstrates the government’s resolve to protect Nigerians abroad and ensure that those affected by the crisis receive adequate assistance.
Adding that the initiative “underscores the priority accorded to the protection of Nigerian citizens overseas, which remains a central pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy and a core responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“It also reflects the government’s determination to ensure that Nigerians affected by crises abroad receive the necessary support, dignity, and care.”
However, the ministry assured Nigerians that comprehensive arrangements had been made for the returnees upon arrival, stressing that the federal government, through relevant ministries, departments and agencies, had put in place reception, documentation and support measures.
It added that the evacuation effort “reflects the government’s determination to ensure that Nigerians affected by crises abroad receive the necessary support, dignity, and care.”
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