At Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, just before 11:00AM on Tuesday, June 30, Nigerians evacuated South Africa as a Boeing had left Johannesburg at 5:00AM local time carrying 271 people who were sleeping outside the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria because a flight had been promised and cancelled for the past one week.
This deportation of Nigerians was sponsored by the Nigerian government under the leadership of President Tinubu as he approves free evacuation flights, coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NiDCOM, and NEMA, while Air Peace operated the flights.
Due to the South Africa Xenophobia of which their main target are foreign nationals majorly focused on Nigerians, over 1,000 Nigerians have reportedly registered for the voluntary evacuation due to safety concerns, attacks on businesses, property, and uncertainty.
How the Third Batch of 271 Finally Got Home
Three batches of Nigerians evacuated South Africa already. The 1st batch within a range of 258-268 people returned back home mid-June, while the 2nd batch which are a very small people of 66 people arrived Nigeria June 24, and now the 3rd batch flight peacefully landed Lagos, Nigeria on the 30th of June, 2026.
The Air Peace aircraft carried about 271 evacuees from Johannesburg at approximately 5:00AM local time on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, and landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, shortly before 11:00AM.
The first process on how the third batch of 271 Nigerians evacuated South Africa is that they registered with the Nigerian High Commission amidst the rising xenophobic tensions and anti-immigration protests. After they were screened and verified by the officials, President Bola Tinubu approved multiple free evacuation flights for them.
Thereafter, their flight took off and landed safely at Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NEMA, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), FAAN, National Commission for Refugees/Migrants, and NiDCOM were also present at the arrival of the 271 evacuees.
What Actually Released the Money After Weeks of Delay
President Tinubu approved funding for up to like five evacuation flights earlier on, with Air Peace designated as the main operator. However, bureaucratic chains in the Ministries like Foreign Affairs and Finance/ aviation-related agencies slowed the actual disbursement process of funds to the airline.
It was reported that weeks after presidential approval, Air Peace had not received full payment for additional flights. This delayed operations despite the first batch succeeding around June 11.
The pressure from the stranded Nigerians and the Nigerian Union in South Africa staged protests at the High Commission in Pretoria, demanding faster action led to the released of the money after weeks of delay. Not just that, the media attention and the approaching June 30 deadline set by South African anti-immigration groups increased the urgency of the disbursement.
Here’s What South Africa’s President Said the June 30 Deadline Has Now Passed
The South Africa President, President Cyril Ramaphosa has consistently stated that the June 30 deadline set by anti-immigration groups is not an official government position and has no legal force. He said that only the South African government can enforce immigration laws.
He acknowledged legitimate public concerns about undocumented migration, its impact on services, jobs, and crime. However, he insisted that foreigners should not be scapegoated for broader economic problems.
Final Thoughts as Nigerians Evacuated South Africa
More than 1,000 Nigerians had registered with the Federal Government for voluntary evacuation as of late June. Even after the third batch, there were rough estimate by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that 700 people remain in South Africa awaiting further flights.
Should the Nigerian government be relying on private airlines to bail out an evacuation it approved and promised to fund? Tell us what you think should happen next.
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