The Federal Government has finalized arrangements to receive another batch of 270 Nigerian citizens from South Africa on Wednesday as part of its ongoing voluntary evacuation programme.
The incoming flight marks the latest phase of the government’s coordinated effort to facilitate the safe return of Nigerians who have expressed a desire to come home.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said a chartered Air Peace aircraft has been deployed for the operation and is scheduled to depart Lagos for Johannesburg on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
According to the ministry, the aircraft will leave Lagos at 3:30 p.m. and arrive in Johannesburg before midnight to begin boarding the returnees. It is expected to depart South Africa at 12:00 midnight with 270 passengers and arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at approximately 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, subject to operational conditions.
The statement reads:
“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. The initiative is being implemented through collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other relevant government agencies, and Air Peace to assist Nigerians seeking voluntary return from South Africa.
Meanwhile, emergency management agencies, immigration officials, and airport authorities have concluded preparations to receive the returnees upon arrival. The passengers are expected to undergo routine documentation and profiling before being provided with the necessary support to facilitate their reintegration into the country.
