By Miriam Humbe
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has activated reception arrangements for 268 Nigerian citizens being evacuated from the Republic of South Africa.
The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has activated the Agency’s response team to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to receive the returnees in collaboration with other relevant government agencies and stakeholders.
The first batch of the evacuees will depart the O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, on Wednesday night and expected to arrive Nigeria in the early hours of Thursday, 11th June, 2026 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye is expected to receive the returnees at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said in a statement that screening exercise by the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria for Nigerian nationals willingly returning to the country due to xenophobic attacks has been extended to Sunday, 14th June 2026, to accommodate more persons.
Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner in Pretoria, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi will escort the first batch of 268 passengers boarding the Air Peace evacuation flight, expected to arrive at 5:00am on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
The Foreign Ministry said that reception, documentation and support arrangements have been emplaced through relevant MDAs.
This is to ensure Nigerians affected by crises abroad received the necessary support, dignity, and care, even as protection of Nigerian citizens overseas remained a central pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy.
