FG to repatriate more than 1,000 Nigerians from S/Africa – NiDCOM; Exercise free of charge – Official

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Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO NiDCOM

By Maureen Okon/Fortune Abang

Abuja, June 6, 2026

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) says more than 1,000 Nigerians in South Africa have undergone screening for voluntary repatriation being facilitated by the Federal Government.

Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.

Dabiri-Erewa said the screening was being conducted jointly by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs.

According to her, Saturday marked the third day of the exercise for Nigerians intending to voluntarily return home from South Africa.

In a related development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that those to be evacuated will not bear the cost of their repatriation.

Mr. Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry said in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, that the ministry would deploy aircraft to bring them home.

According to him, the screening of Nigerians in South Africa who registered for evacuation will end on Saturday.

“The process, which commenced on June 4, is a joint exercise involving the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation, as well as the South African Police and immigration authorities.

“At the end of the screening, we will have a definite number of persons cleared for evacuation.

“Thereafter, we will finalise arrangements for the deployment of aircraft to bring them home,” he said.

Ebienfa spoke against the backdrop of the Federal Government’s preparations to repatriate Nigerians from South Africa under a voluntary evacuation programme following concerns over the safety of foreign nationals in the Southern African country and the recent anti-immigrant protests held in parts of the country

Mrs. Abike-Erewa, in her interview with NAN, also said that “The turnout at the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria has been truly impressive. Nigerians came out in large numbers to participate in the process.

“In spite of the emotional atmosphere surrounding the prevailing tensions and uncertainty, the exercise has been smooth, peaceful, organised, and highly professional under the supervision of the Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner, Amb. Olatunde Ajayi.

“More than 1,000 Nigerians have registered for the voluntary evacuation, and many more are registering.

“All things being equal, the flights are expected to commence next week through Air Peace, as President Bola Tinubu has approved funds for that purpose,” she said.

Dabiri-Erewa added that five flights are expected to be deployed for the repatriation, with the first batch of evacuees scheduled to depart for Nigeria next week.

NAN reports that the repatriation of Nigerians is coming amid safety concerns of foreign nationals following recent anti-immigrant protests in parts of South Africa.

Global Patriot Staff36 seconds ago

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