Nigeria has brought its government-assisted repatriation programme from South Africa to an end after successfully evacuating nearly 1 500 citizens over five weeks.

The government ended the programme despite concerns that the security situation for foreign nationals remains tense.

The repatriation programme concluded after authorities completed the planned airlift operation, officials said.

Why has the repatriation programme ended?

According to Nigeria’s foreign ministry, the repatriation exercise has been completed after 1 490 Nigerians were flown home between June 10 and July 15.

Foreign ministry spokesman Kimiebi Ebienfa told AFP that “it has ended”, signalling the conclusion of the current evacuation mission rather than an ongoing suspension.

The evacuation programme was launched after anti-immigrant groups in South Africa intensified calls for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country by June 30.

The campaign triggered protests and violent clashes that left at least four foreign nationals dead and heightened fears among migrant communities.

Other African countries also evacuated citizens

Nigeria is not the only country to organise government-assisted returns.

Uganda has repatriated around 1 100 citizens, while Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Kenya have also facilitated the return of hundreds of their nationals from South Africa.

Although the evacuation has ended, Nigeria says it remains concerned about the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa.

The government reiterated that xenophobia, racial intolerance and violence against migrants are unacceptable, while stressing that it will continue engaging South Africa through diplomatic channels rather than taking retaliatory action.