Following renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa targeting foreign nationals including Nigerians, more than 1,000 citizens have returned home after fleeing for their lives, abandoning businesses and investments worth millions of dollars.

Many of the returnees had spent years building a life in South Africa which was once seen as a destination for economic opportunity. What took years to build was dismantled within weeks as hostility escalated across parts of the country.

The latest wave of returnees arrived in Nigeria through an emergency evacuation programme coordinated by the Federal Government following renewed anti immigration campaigns and growing hostility towards foreign nationals.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Government has so far evacuated 2,037 Nigerians from South Africa since the exercise began on June 10 2026. The latest batch of 111 returnees comprising 44 men, 23 women and 44 children arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways Flight SA060 on October 8 2026.

The ministry said the returnees were received by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, the National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant agencies.

The evacuation was fully funded by a $265,854 donation made by the Redeemed Christian Church of God to support the return of 500 distressed Nigerians.

The ministry disclosed that 318 Nigerians have so far benefited from the church funded initiative, leaving 182 more to be repatriated under the commitment.

The Federal Government said it will continue to engage South African authorities and other stakeholders to address xenophobia and protect Nigerians living in the country.