Nigerians stranded in South Africa appeal for evacuation after repatriation program ends

Nigeria concluded its repatriation efforts last Thursday, with the final flight bringing 305 returnees home from Johannesburg, totaling nearly 1,490 citizens returned. The evacuation began on June 10, 2026, following increased pressure on undocumented foreign nationals by anti-immigrant groups. Other African nations, including Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, have also evacuated their citizens.

Stranded Nigerians outside the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria found their hopes dashed by a notice indicating the suspension of repatriation. One Nigerian reported not being included in the evacuation flights, while another expressed concern over the lack of assistance from the high commission. Individuals described their stress and pleaded for their government to rescue them, with one man traveling from Cape Town to Pretoria for assistance only to find the program had ended.