Nigeria's federal government has announced plans to begin the voluntary repatriation of its citizens from South Africa, following a series of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals. The announcement was made in a statement on Sunday by Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
The decision comes after reports of attacks on foreign-owned businesses and individuals in South Africa, which have raised concerns about the safety of Nigerian nationals living there. The Nigerian government has urged its citizens to register with the Nigerian embassy in Pretoria for voluntary evacuation.
As of May 4, 2026, the exact number of Nigerians affected or the timeline for the repatriation has not been specified. The government has not provided details on the logistics or costs of the operation.
This move follows similar actions by other African nations, such as Malawi and Zambia, which have also repatriated their citizens from South Africa in response to the attacks. The Nigerian government has called for calm and urged its citizens to cooperate with authorities.
