The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified that all special evacuation flights arranged for Nigerians returning from South Africa are fully funded by the Federal Government, stressing that no returnee is required to pay any fare.

In a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the ministry said the first batch of evacuees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 11, 2026, aboard a special Air Peace flight carrying 258 Nigerians.

According to the statement, the returnees were received by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, on behalf of the Federal Government and handed over to relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for documentation and profiling.

The ministry explained that logistical challenges delayed the operation of the second evacuation flight, leading to the temporary accommodation of some affected Nigerians at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, where they were cared for by officials of the mission.

It added that a patriotic Nigerian voluntarily sponsored the flight tickets of 66 evacuees, who subsequently arrived in Lagos on June 24 aboard a South African Airways flight.

The ministry further disclosed that another evacuation flight landed in Nigeria on June 30, 2026, with 269 returnees, bringing the total number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa so far to 593.

It noted that three additional evacuation flights have been scheduled in the coming days to bring back all Nigerians who voluntarily registered for evacuation and have completed the required screening and clearance processes.

“The expected number in that regard is 700 Nigerians. The third batch of the evacuation flights will arrive in Nigeria with 271 returnees on Friday, July 3, 2026. The expected time of arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, is 5:30 a.m.,” the ministry stated.

Reaffirming the government's commitment, the ministry said: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to place on record that all the special evacuation flights are fully paid for by the Federal Government and at no cost to the returnees.”

The ministry said the clarification became necessary following allegations that some officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa were demanding payment from citizens before including them on evacuation lists.

Describing the claims as false, it urged the public to disregard them.

“That is totally false, fake news, and should be discarded,” the statement said.

The ministry also commended the cooperation of relevant MDAs involved in the exercise, noting that the successful evacuation reflects the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad.

According to the statement, the operation highlights the importance attached to the welfare of Nigerian citizens overseas and underscores the government's determination to provide support, dignity and care to nationals affected by crises outside the country.

“The lives of Nigerians living abroad matter, and we are trying our best as a ministry to give them a sense of belonging,” the ministry added.