- FG says Nigerians willing to leave South Africa will be evacuated by June 30
- About 1,000 people have registered, with the first batch already returned
- The government also warned it may review actions against South African firms in Nigeria
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians affected by the ongoing anti-migrant violence in South Africa that every citizen who has registered for voluntary evacuation will be brought home before June 30.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the assurance was given by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in a statement issued on Thursday through her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze.
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She reaffirmed the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu administration to protecting Nigerians abroad, stressing that no registered evacuee would be left behind.
According to the minister, about 1,000 Nigerians have so far indicated interest in returning home, while the first batch of 258 evacuees has already arrived in Nigeria.
She noted that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, received the returnees at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on behalf of the Federal Government.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said President Tinubu had directed that Nigerians facing intimidation and threats in South Africa who wished to return home should receive immediate government assistance.
She expressed concern over reports that many Nigerians, including those married to South Africans and raising families there, were being forced to leave the country alongside their spouses and children.
The minister described the situation as disturbing and said the continued harassment of Nigerians stood in sharp contrast to the freedom enjoyed by South African businesses operating in Nigeria.
She noted that more than 120 South African companies, including MTN, MultiChoice, Stanbic and Protea, conduct business freely in Nigeria without facing discrimination.
According to her, the Federal Government may be forced to review its options regarding those companies if the attacks on Nigerians continue.
She also alleged that vigilante groups had targeted migrants in several South African cities by looting businesses, invading homes and intimidating foreign nationals, while accusing security authorities of failing to provide adequate protection.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu further disclosed that South African authorities declined to activate the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Nigeria in October 2025, which established an early warning mechanism to protect citizens of both countries during periods of tension.
She explained that South Africa argued the agreement had not become legally binding because additional procedures were still required.
Despite the challenges, the minister said Nigeria would continue to pursue diplomatic engagement while considering other lawful measures in accordance with constitutional provisions and due legislative process.
She lamented that the recurring attacks had damaged South Africa’s image as a champion of African unity, saying the violence undermined the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu added that the National Assembly would play a constitutional role in determining Nigeria’s next steps if diplomatic efforts fail to end the attacks on Nigerians and their businesses.
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