The Federal Government has concluded arrangements for the final evacuation of stranded Nigerians from South Africa, with 315 citizens expected to arrive in Lagos on Wednesday aboard an Air Peace flight, bringing the total number of Nigerians repatriated under the emergency programme to 1,400.
TPCN reports that the fifth and final evacuation flight is scheduled to depart Johannesburg at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, and arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, at about 6:30 a.m., marking the end of the government’s coordinated response to renewed xenophobic attacks and security concerns in parts of South Africa.
The evacuation programme was launched after scores of Nigerians indicated their willingness to return home following attacks on foreign nationals, including Nigerians, in several South African communities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, noting that the final Air Peace-operated flight would conclude weeks of coordinated humanitarian efforts by the Federal Government.
According to the ministry, four evacuation flights had earlier returned 1,085 Nigerians to the country, with 262 evacuated on June 11, 271 on June 30, 268 on July 3 and 284 on July 9.
With the arrival of the expected 315 passengers, the total number of Nigerians evacuated under the programme will rise to 1,400.
“The fifth and final evacuation flight is scheduled to depart Johannesburg at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, and is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 6:30 a.m.,” the ministry stated.
TPCN reports that the evacuation exercise formed part of the Federal Government’s broader response to the renewed xenophobic violence, with several ministries, agencies and diplomatic missions working together to ensure the safety and orderly return of affected Nigerians.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate-General in Johannesburg, coordinated with South African authorities while compiling the list of Nigerians seeking voluntary repatriation.
The government also partnered with Air Peace, which deployed its Boeing 777-200 wide-body aircraft for the humanitarian operation, while agencies including the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) provided logistical, immigration and reception support.
Throughout the operation, Nigerian missions in South Africa maintained regular engagement with affected citizens, providing consular assistance, documentation and travel coordination.
Air Peace has remained at the forefront of the evacuation exercise, providing aircraft and operational support in collaboration with the Federal Government.
The airline recently completed its fourth evacuation mission, bringing home 284 Nigerians and raising the number evacuated before the final flight to 1,085.
Air Peace has described the operation as part of its long-standing commitment to humanitarian service and national emergency response, noting that it has undertaken more than 16 humanitarian and evacuation missions across Africa and beyond since commencing operations.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated that the Tinubu administration remains committed to protecting Nigerians wherever they reside and will continue to take necessary measures to safeguard their welfare during emergencies.
The ministry also expressed appreciation to Air Peace, Nigerian diplomatic missions, relevant ministries, departments and agencies, as well as other stakeholders whose collaboration ensured the successful execution of the evacuation programme.
According to the ministry, the conclusion of the emergency airlift does not diminish the government’s commitment to Nigerians still resident in South Africa, stressing that diplomatic engagements with the South African authorities would continue.
