The Nigerian Union South Africa has renewed its call on the Federal Government to urgently facilitate the repatriation of Nigerians stranded in South Africa, following renewed xenophobic attacks against migrants in the country.
- +Group seeks expedite repatriation of Nigerians from S’Africa
On Thursday, June 11, the Federal Government repatriated the first batch of evacuees — a total of 258 Nigerians from South Africa — who arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard a special Air Peace flight arranged by the government.
On Thursday, June 11, the Federal Government repatriated the first batch of evacuees — a total of 258 Nigerians from South Africa — who arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard a special Air Peace flight arranged by the government.
There were plans to further repatriate more Nigerians.
However, the Federal Government announced on Monday that there would be no evacuation flight as earlier proposed.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, informed journalists via a WhatsApp group, saying, “Good evening, gentlemen of the press. There will be no evacuation flight tomorrow.”
Amid growing uncertainty following the cancellation of the planned evacuation flight, NUSA, in a statement on Tuesday, expressed concern over the delay in evacuating Nigerians awaiting repatriation.
Speaking on behalf of the organisation, the President-General of NUSA, Smart Nwobi, said the development had left many vulnerable citizens disappointed, distressed, and seeking answers regarding their welfare and safe return home.
He stressed that the welfare of Nigerians abroad remained both a constitutional and moral responsibility of the Nigerian government.
He said, “We are deeply concerned about the plight of our citizens who have been waiting patiently for repatriation. Many of them are facing severe economic hardship and uncertainty.
“The inability of the scheduled flight of 15 June 2026 to airlift these Nigerians has further compounded their challenges and raised serious concerns among affected individuals and their families.”
NUSA called on the Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Temitope Ajayi; the Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and other relevant government agencies involved in the repatriation exercise to urgently clarify the circumstances that prevented the evacuation from proceeding as planned.
The union stressed that transparency and timely communication were essential, particularly when the lives, welfare, and safety of Nigerian citizens were involved.
It stated, “We respectfully urge the relevant authorities to clarify the hurdles that led to the suspension or delay of the repatriation exercise. Nigerians deserve to know what challenges exist and what measures are being taken to resolve them. The safety, dignity, and wellbeing of our citizens must remain paramount.”
NUSA also appealed to the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, and the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria to work collaboratively towards the immediate resolution of issues affecting the repatriation programme.
According to the union, many stranded Nigerians are eager to return home and rebuild their lives but lack the financial means and logistical support required to do so independently.
While acknowledging ongoing efforts by Nigerian diplomatic officials and government institutions, NUSA maintained that a more coordinated and compassionate response was urgently needed to prevent further hardship among affected citizens.
The organisation said it would continue to advocate for the welfare of Nigerians in South Africa and engage relevant stakeholders until a satisfactory resolution is achieved.
It further urged the Federal Government to act swiftly and remove all obstacles delaying the safe return of stranded Nigerians.
