Nigeria and Zimbabwe Repatriate Citizens Amid South Africa Deadline

The Government of Nigeria and the Government of Zimbabwe are coordinating urgent repatriations of their citizens from South Africa as undocumented migrants face an unofficial June 30 expulsion deadline. The situation is compounded by rising xenophobic tensions and targeted attacks against black immigrants in South Africa, prompting other nations including Malawi and Ghana to begin similar evacuations.

In Pretoria, Nigerian nationals protested outside their embassy on Monday, demanding the government fast-track evacuation flights. While the Nigerian government pledged five flights through Air Peace, logistical failures and missing landing permits have delayed the process. Only 258 citizens have returned on the first flight, leaving over 742 others stranded. Many protesters report becoming destitute after their legal documents were cancelled upon registering for repatriation.

Acting Ambassador Alexander Temitope Ajayi acknowledged the delays, stating a second flight would be approved between Tuesday and Friday. This crisis follows a broader trend of Nigerian returns; the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons reported that approximately 3,000 citizens were repatriated from Chad, Cameroon, and Niger since the start of 2026, including a large group returning to Borno State in January.

Simultaneously, the Government of Zimbabwe has appealed to the private sector and humanitarian agencies for financial and logistical aid. The Zimbabwean government is utilizing its national Emergency Fund to provide food, shelter, and transport for returnees, coordinating the effort through the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.