By Mary Onyia
The Federal Government has assured that 742 Nigerians currently residing in South Africa and willing to return home will be evacuated to the country on or before June 30, 2026. The assurance was given by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, through her Special Assistant on Communication and News Media, Magnus Eze, in an official statement issued on Thursday.
According to the statement, the planned evacuation is part of the government’s commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad. The minister said all necessary arrangements were being finalized to ensure the safe and orderly return of the affected citizens, who had indicated their readiness to come back home.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that the repatriation exercise is being coordinated through relevant government agencies and Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in South Africa. She added that measures had also been put in place to facilitate the smooth reception and reintegration of the returnees upon their arrival in Nigeria.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to continue providing assistance to Nigerians facing challenges in foreign countries. She expressed confidence that the evacuation would be completed within the stipulated timeline and urged the affected citizens to cooperate with officials handling the process to ensure a seamless operation.
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