Xenophobia fears force Nigeria to airlift over 1,000 citizens from south africa

Nigeria has approved five repatriation flights to bring home more than 1,000 citizens seeking to leave South Africa following a fresh wave of anti-immigrant protests and xenophobic attacks, underscoring growing concerns over the safety of Nigerians in Africa’s most industrialised economy.

The evacuation, ordered by President Bola Tinubu and expected to begin this week, comes as registrations for voluntary return surged sharply amid fears of escalating hostility toward foreign nationals. Officials say more than 500 Nigerians have already been cleared for evacuation, with the first flight expected to transport about 270 passengers from Johannesburg pending final regulatory approvals.

The Federal Government said the evacuation operation would be conducted by Air Peace under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria. The decision follows a sharp increase in requests from Nigerians who say they no longer feel safe amid growing anti-immigrant sentiment in parts of South Africa.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the screening and verification exercise for prospective returnees has been extended to accommodate the growing number of applicants. Government officials disclosed that registrations rose dramatically from about 130 people in May to more than 1,000 within weeks as tensions intensified.

Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said the evacuation remains voluntary and is aimed at protecting Nigerians who wish to return home. He added that diplomatic engagements with South African authorities are ongoing to facilitate the smooth departure of returnees, including those facing immigration-related challenges.

The repatriation exercise comes against the backdrop of renewed protests in South Africa, where some groups have blamed foreign nationals for rising unemployment, crime and pressure on public services. While South African authorities have repeatedly condemned xenophobic attacks, periodic outbreaks of violence targeting migrants from other African countries have continued to raise concerns across the continent.

Nigeria and South Africa have historically maintained strong economic and diplomatic ties, but episodes of anti-foreigner violence have frequently tested relations between the two countries. Previous waves of xenophobic attacks prompted retaliatory protests in Nigeria and led to diplomatic interventions aimed at protecting citizens and businesses operating in both countries.

Officials said the latest evacuation plan reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad. The programme will provide free transportation for approved returnees, with additional flight schedules expected to be announced as the operation progresses.

The development also follows similar efforts by other African countries to evacuate citizens affected by anti-immigrant unrest in South Africa. Analysts say the situation highlights the broader challenge of managing migration pressures and social tensions in Africa’s most advanced economy.

With the first flight expected to depart in the coming days, Nigerian authorities say preparations are in their final stages, while diplomatic consultations continue to secure all necessary clearances for the remaining evacuation flights. The operation is expected to bring more than 1,000 Nigerians back home, marking one of the country’s largest recent repatriation efforts from South Africa.