The Federal Government has assured that no Nigerian who has expressed interest in returning from South Africa will be abandoned, as evacuation efforts continue following renewed attacks on foreign nationals in the country.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, gave the assurance on Wednesday, noting that about 1,000 Nigerians had already registered for evacuation ahead of the June 30 deadline set by the government.
She said the first batch of 258 evacuees had already been flown back to Nigeria and received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 11 by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed that the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains committed to safeguarding Nigerians abroad and ensuring that those in distress are brought home safely.
> “It is the policy of the Renewed Hope Administration that no Nigerian will be left to suffer unnecessarily in the hands of misguided individuals,” she said.
She explained that the evacuation directive followed presidential approval, adding that Nigerians in South Africa who voluntarily wish to return would be repatriated within the stipulated timeframe in line with Nigeria’s citizen diplomacy approach.
The minister, however, cautioned that any retaliatory action against South Africa would be guided strictly by constitutional and legislative procedures.
She said Nigeria was engaging South African authorities through diplomatic channels while awaiting further input from the National Assembly on possible next steps if the situation persists.
> “When your citizens are being harassed… especially those who have lived there for years and even have families, it becomes a serious concern,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also noted the presence of over 120 South African companies operating in Nigeria, including MTN, MultiChoice, Stanbic IBTC, and Protea Hotels, stressing that Nigerians had not subjected them to harassment.
Reports indicate that vigilante groups in parts of South Africa have attacked foreign nationals, looted businesses and forced some migrants out of their homes, amid rising xenophobic tensions.
Describing the situation as unfortunate, the minister warned that the developments were damaging South Africa’s global reputation and its image as a symbol of African unity.
> “This is causing reputational damage. Nelson Mandela laboured for years to build South Africa as a bastion of Pan-Africanism,” she said.
She added that countries such as Ghana, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique were also evacuating their citizens from South Africa over the unrest.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu further disclosed that a bilateral early warning agreement signed between Nigeria and South Africa in October 2025 had yet to be implemented, as South African authorities reportedly questioned the validity of the officials who signed on their behalf.
