The Federal Government has concluded arrangements for the final phase of its evacuation exercise for stranded Nigerians in South Africa, with 315 citizens expected to arrive in Lagos on Wednesday aboard an Air Peace flight.

The evacuation marks the final stage of the government’s repatriation programme initiated in response to recent xenophobic attacks and security concerns affecting Nigerians living in parts of South Africa.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said the final evacuation flight would depart Johannesburg at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

According to the ministry, the Air Peace flight is scheduled to land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at approximately 6:30 a.m.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the welfare and safety of Nigerians living abroad.

The ministry also expressed appreciation to all stakeholders and partner agencies that contributed to the successful execution of the evacuation exercise.

According to the statement, the final flight will bring home Nigerians who voluntarily indicated their interest in returning following the security challenges experienced in parts of South Africa.

The government described the operation as part of its broader responsibility to safeguard the interests of Nigerian citizens wherever they reside.

The latest evacuation follows previous flights that have already returned hundreds of Nigerians to the country.

Last Friday, the sixth batch of evacuees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, increasing the total number of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa to 1,174.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) confirmed that the sixth batch consisted of 40 returnees who arrived aboard a chartered flight.

According to NiDCOM, the evacuation programme included four Air Peace flights that transported 258, 266, 262 and 282 passengers, respectively.

In addition, a ValueJet flight conveyed 66 Nigerians back to the country.

With the arrival of the final batch on Wednesday, the Federal Government is expected to formally conclude the evacuation exercise launched to assist Nigerians affected by the recent wave of xenophobic attacks and insecurity in South Africa.