Nigeria and Ghana Repatriate Citizens Following South Africa Xenophobic Attacks

The Government of Nigeria concluded a voluntary repatriation exercise on July 15, 2026, following xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant protests in South Africa that resulted in deaths and the looting of businesses. The operation ended with a final flight from Johannesburg's Oliver Tambo International Airport to Lagos's Murtala Muhammed International Airport. While the final flight carried approximately 308 to 315 passengers, reports on the total number of evacuees vary: Air Peace reported 1,393 returnees across five flights, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited 1,490 Nigerians evacuated via partnerships with Air Peace and South African Airways.

Returnees described the environment in South Africa as a "war zone." One businessman, Okafor Ugochukwu, reported losing his home and businesses in Johannesburg before seeking refuge at the Nigerian Consulate in Pretoria. Upon arrival in Lagos, officials from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's commitment to the welfare of those returning.

Similarly, the Government of Ghana is preparing for the final phase of its voluntary repatriation program. High Commissioner Benjamin Quashie announced that daily flights will begin on July 25, 2026, to evacuate nearly 900 registered citizens. Quashie specified that the government will not accept new registrations for this exercise, marking the end of large-scale state-sponsored evacuations from the region.