Xenophobia: FG to Evacuate 83 Nigerians as South African Group Issues Fresh Sept 30 Deadline

The Federal Government is set to evacuate another 83 Nigerians from South Africa, with the returnees expected to arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Nigerians would depart Oliver Tambo Airport, Johannesburg, on South African Airways at 3:35 pm local time and are expected to arrive in Lagos at about 8:45 pm.

The latest evacuation was facilitated by public-spirited private individuals who sponsored flight tickets, according to the ministry.

The development comes after the completion of the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme, which resulted in the return of nearly 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa amid renewed concerns over Afrophobia, xenophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments.

In a statement, the ministry said the Federal Government remained committed to protecting the welfare and dignity of Nigerians at home and abroad under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

The ministry said Nigerians in the diaspora remained important to national development under its Citizen Diplomacy agenda, adding that it would continue to work with host countries, including South Africa, to address the causes of Afrophobia and prevent discrimination and violence against Nigerians.

It also called on corporate organisations, state governments and other well-meaning Nigerians to support efforts to respond to consular emergencies, while commending those who sponsored the latest evacuation.

The ministry said, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to announce that a new batch of 83 Nigerian nationals will arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 via South African Airways.”

Meanwhile, a South African anti-immigration group, March and March, has issued a fresh September 30 deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country.

The group announced the deadline during a protest in Durban on Tuesday, staged outside the venue of the 46th Southern African Development Community, SADC, Summit.

March and March marched through central Durban, calling on African leaders attending the summit to facilitate the return of their citizens living in South Africa without legal documentation.

The group had earlier organised nationwide protests on June 30, demanding tougher measures against undocumented foreigners. It said the latest action represented the second phase of its campaign.

The group warned of what it described as the “mother of all protests” on September 30 if its demands were not addressed.

The renewed anti-immigration campaign comes amid heightened debate over South Africa’s treatment of foreign nationals. President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously condemned discrimination and violence against other Africans, saying such actions undermine regional integration.

The latest protest, held as regional leaders gathered for the SADC summit, has further intensified concerns over the safety and welfare of foreign nationals, including Nigerians, living in South Africa.