By Stephen Simon
The Federal Government has extended the screening exercise for Nigerians in South Africa seeking evacuation back home, moving the deadline to June 10, 2026, to accommodate more applicants and complete ongoing verification processes.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the extension on Sunday, explaining that the additional time would enable authorities to process all Nigerians who have indicated interest in returning to the country.
Spokesperson for the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the update was communicated through Nigeria’s Mission in Pretoria, noting that the exercise is being carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation, immigration authorities and the South African Police.
According to him, the screening exercise, which commenced on Thursday, is aimed at determining the exact number of Nigerians eligible for evacuation before final travel arrangements are concluded.
Ebienfa disclosed that the verification process has now been extended by four additional days and will officially end on June 10.
He further revealed that more than 500 Nigerians have so far been screened and cleared for evacuation, underscoring the scale of interest in the government’s repatriation programme.
The ministry also announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved five evacuation flights to facilitate the return of affected citizens. The operations will be conducted by Air Peace, with the first flight expected to depart Johannesburg on Monday evening, subject to the necessary permits and regulatory clearances.
The evacuation initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s response to renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa, providing willing Nigerians with an opportunity to return home safely while efforts continue to address concerns over the safety and welfare of Nigerian citizens residing in the country.
