Federal Government cites unforeseen logistical considerations as first batch of 270 passengers deferred
Nigeria’s planned repatriation of its citizens from South Africa has been rescheduled to Wednesday, 10 June 2026, from the originally scheduled Monday departure.
The postponement was attributed to “unforeseen logistical considerations,” according to Kimiebi Ebienfa, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The proposed airlifting of the first batch of returnees from South Africa, originally scheduled for Monday, has been rescheduled to Wednesday due to unforeseen logistical considerations,” Ebienfa stated on Sunday.
The spokesperson did not provide further details regarding the nature of the logistical issues necessitating the 48-hour postponement.
According to TheCable, the rescheduled evacuation flight will be operated by Air Peace, Nigeria’s private carrier, which has been designated to conduct the repatriation exercise.
The first aircraft is expected to depart Johannesburg on Wednesday evening, pending completion of all necessary permits and aviation clearances. The flight is anticipated to transport approximately 270 passengers on its maiden voyage.
President Bola Tinubu has approved a total of five evacuation flights to facilitate the return of affected Nigerians. The Federal Government is bearing the cost of repatriation, ensuring that evacuees will not incur expenses for their journey home.
Repatriation screening extended to accommodate applicants
The screening and verification exercise for Nigerian nationals willing to return home has been extended to Wednesday, 10 June 2026. The process initially commenced on Thursday, 5 June and was originally scheduled to conclude on Saturday, 7 June.
“I just received confirmation from our Mission in Pretoria that the screening exercise of Nigerian nationals that have indicated interest to be evacuated back home has been extended to Wednesday, 10th June, 2026,” Ebienfa disclosed.
The extension was implemented to accommodate the rising number of Nigerians registering for voluntary evacuation. More than 1,000 citizens have registered for repatriation, with the number continuing to increase. So far, more than 500 persons have been screened and cleared for evacuation.
The screening is being conducted jointly by Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria, the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the South African Police Service, and immigration authorities. The exercise has been characterised as smooth, peaceful, organised and highly professional under the supervision of Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner, Ambassador Olatunde Ajayi.
Repatriation process and destination
The precise departure time and estimated time of arrival in Lagos for the Wednesday flight will be provided once final updates are received from Nigeria’s High Commission in South Africa. The government has indicated that the destination for the repatriation flights is Lagos.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the rescheduling will affect the subsequent flights in the broader evacuation exercise. Given that more than 500 persons have already been cleared and the first aircraft capacity is approximately 270 passengers, additional flights will be required to complete the repatriation of all registered nationals.
The process of returning Nigerians will continue in phases until all citizens willing to return have been safely transported back to Nigeria. The government has maintained that the exercise remains a priority and will proceed expeditiously once all logistical and aviation requirements are satisfied.
Repatriation context and international comparison
The repatriation initiative follows a wave of renewed xenophobic attacks and tensions in South Africa targeting foreign nationals. Nigerians, along with Ghanaians and Mozambicans, have been among the groups most severely impacted by the xenophobic violence.
The move comes two weeks after Ghana repatriated approximately 300 of its citizens from South Africa, representing the first batch of the nearly 800 Ghanaians registered for repatriation. Nigeria had initially submitted its clearance list ahead of Ghana but was not prioritised in the evacuation sequence.
The government has urged affected Nigerians to remain patient as final preparations continue. Officials emphasised that the rescheduling does not indicate any change in the government’s commitment to ensuring the safe return and welfare of its citizens abroad.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has coordinated with the Foreign Affairs Ministry to ensure that the evacuation exercise proceeds smoothly. Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa confirmed that more than 1,000 Nigerians have undergone screening for voluntary repatriation.
