The Federal Government has concluded plans to evacuate another 270 Nigerian citizens from South Africa as part of its ongoing voluntary repatriation programme aimed at assisting nationals who wish to return home.
In a statement issued on Monday, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, confirmed that an Air Peace aircraft has been designated for the operation.
According to the ministry, the chartered flight will depart Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, for Johannesburg. After arriving in South Africa, the aircraft is scheduled to leave Johannesburg at midnight with the 270 returnees on board.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the flight is expected to land in Lagos at about 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s continued efforts to support Nigerians abroad who have chosen to return home.
The statement read: “In continuation of the ongoing evacuation of our nationals from South Africa, the Air Peace aircraft deployed for the process is expected to depart Lagos tomorrow, Tuesday, 7 July, 2026, for Johannesburg, South Africa at 3:30 p.m. 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, 8 July, 2026, all things being equal.”
The latest operation will be the fourth evacuation flight conducted under the Federal Government’s current repatriation programme, which is being carried out in partnership with Air Peace to facilitate the safe return of stranded Nigerians.
Ahead of the flight’s arrival, relevant government agencies, including immigration, emergency response officials and airport authorities, are expected to coordinate reception and documentation procedures at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The returnees will undergo routine processing and profiling before further arrangements are made to support their reintegration into the country.
