The Federal Government has announced that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, will receive the first batch of Nigerians returning from South Africa following the recent xenophobic attacks in the country.
The returnees are expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard an Air Peace evacuation flight scheduled to land at 5:00 a.m. on Thursday.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria in Pretoria, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, would accompany the first batch of 268 returnees and formally hand them over to the Federal Government upon their arrival.
According to the ministry, the minister’s presence at the airport underscores the importance the Federal Government attaches to the welfare of Nigerians living abroad and reflects its commitment to a citizen-centred foreign policy.
The ministry also disclosed that the ongoing screening and registration exercise being conducted by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria for citizens willing to return home voluntarily has been extended until June 14, 2026, to enable more affected Nigerians to participate.
It explained that the evacuation exercise demonstrates the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians overseas, describing the safety and welfare of citizens abroad as a key pillar of the country’s foreign policy and a core responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The statement added that the Federal Government remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians affected by crises in foreign countries receive the necessary support, dignity, and care throughout the evacuation process.
It further assured the public that comprehensive reception, documentation, and support arrangements have been put in place through relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to facilitate the return and reintegration of the evacuees.