Federal Government to Receive 270 More Returnees from South Africa Wednesday
The Federal Government will receive another batch of 270 Nigerians from South Africa on Wednesday as it continues the voluntary evacuation of citizens wishing to return home.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, announcing that an Air Peace aircraft has been deployed for the latest evacuation exercise.
According to the ministry, the aircraft will depart Lagos for Johannesburg on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. to airlift the returnees back to Nigeria.
The statement said the aircraft is scheduled to leave Johannesburg at 12:00 midnight with the 270 evacuees and is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, by 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
“In continuation of the ongoing evacuation of our nationals from South Africa, the Air Peace aircraft deployed for the exercise is expected to depart Lagos on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, for Johannesburg at 3:30 p.m.,” the statement read.
“The aircraft will depart Johannesburg for Lagos with 270 returnees at 12:00 midnight, and the estimated time of arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, is 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, all things being equal.”
The ministry said the latest flight forms part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the safe and voluntary return of Nigerians from South Africa.
The scheduled arrival will mark another phase of the evacuation programme, following the successful return of earlier batches of Nigerian nationals evacuated from the Southern African country.
The Federal Government has continued to work with relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure the smooth evacuation and reintegration of the returnees.
Wednesday’s operation is expected to be the fourth evacuation flight under the current repatriation programme, underscoring the government’s commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad.