Hundreds of Nigerians waiting to leave South Africa are suffering severe hardship due to delayed evacuation flights. The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) sounded the alarm on the crisis Friday.
On June 7, 2026, Nigeria's Federal Government promised five chartered Air Peace flights to bring citizens home. Xenophobic attacks in South Africa triggered the evacuation plan.
Only one aircraft has departed so far. It landed in Lagos last Thursday carrying 258 returnees.
Over 1,000 Nigerians registered for the programme initially. They're now trapped in deteriorating conditions across the country.
Frank Onyekwelu, NICASA's national president, painted a bleak picture in a statement Friday. "Hundreds have endured untold hardship following delays in the scheduled repatriation flights," he wrote.
Citizens travelled from distant provinces after officials instructed them to register and undergo screening. Many families with women and children lack shelter, food, or money.
"Some of our nationals have been left sleeping in difficult conditions," Onyekwelu lamented. "They're uncertain when they'll return home."
The stranded Nigerians exhausted their savings getting to assembly points in good faith. They believed the government had finalised arrangements for their departure.
NICASA made an urgent appeal to the Federal Government and lawmakers Friday. It called on Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar and National Assembly committees to intervene immediately.
The association demands four remaining evacuation flights be deployed without further delay. It also wants emergency resources and welfare support for those waiting.
NICASA urged the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria to improve communication with stranded citizens. The mission should also provide temporary assistance and work with community leaders, it added.
Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Foreign Affairs Ministry's spokesperson, had no updates when contacted. He promised to brief reporters once new developments emerge.
Abdur-Rahman Balogun, head of media at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), offered reassurance. "Everyone who registered will be returned to Nigeria," he told our reporter.
Balogun urged patience as the government works on smooth execution. He said efforts are underway to complete the repatriation programme.
