FG to Repatriate Over 1,000 Nigerians from South Africa

FG will repatriate over 1,000 Nigerians from South Africa through five Air Peace flights after a screening exercise, with the first batch of evacuees expected to arrive next week.

The Federal Government has concluded plans to repatriate more than 1,000 Nigerians from South Africa following a screening exercise for citizens who indicated interest in returning home voluntarily.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed this in Abuja on Saturday.

According to her, the screening exercise is being conducted jointly by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs. She explained that the exercise entered its third day on Saturday and has recorded a significant turnout of Nigerians seeking to participate in the voluntary evacuation programme.

Dabiri-Erewa said the process has been orderly and professionally coordinated under the supervision of Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Olatunde Ajayi.

She revealed that more than 1,000 Nigerians have already registered for the repatriation exercise, while registration remains open for interested citizens.

The NiDCOM boss further stated that evacuation flights are expected to begin next week through Air Peace after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved funding for the operation.

According to her, five flights have been scheduled to transport the returnees, with the first batch expected to arrive in Nigeria next week.

The planned evacuation comes amid growing concerns among foreign nationals following recent anti-immigrant protests in parts of South Africa. Nigerian authorities say the voluntary repatriation programme is aimed at providing assistance to citizens who wish to return home and ensuring their safe relocation.