The screening exercise of Nigerians who are seeking to return home from South Africa ends (today) Saturday, The Nation has learnt.

No fewer than 1,000 Nigerians have indicated interest to be evacuated back to Nigeria following the latest xenophobic attacks and protests against foreign nationals in South Africa.

According to a terse statement by the Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the exercise which commenced in the first week of May 2026 will be brought to a close on Saturday.

He said this is to enable the government to make adequate preparations for the deployment of aircraft to bring them back.

The statement reads: “The screening exercise of Nigerians in South Africa that have registered to be evacuated will end today. The process commenced on Thursday 4th May and it is a joint exercise by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, the South African Police and Immigration.

“At the end of the screening, we will have a definite figure that has been cleared for evacuation. Thereafter, the Government will finalise the details about deployment of Aircrafts to bring them home. Promise to keep you posted as details emerge.”

No fewer than 1,500 Nigerians were said to have been killed in the last few years in South Africa.

Properties and businesses worth hundreds of million dollars have also been lost in the process. (The Nation, excluding headline)