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Dozens of Nigerian nationals gathered at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, on Monday to protest delays in repatriation flights, with many facing hunger and homelessness while awaiting evacuation.
Frank Onyekwelu, president of the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA), told News Central TV that the demonstration was called to demand answers from the government after a second evacuation flight was postponed.
“The first flight has lifted about 270 people. And then the second flight was scheduled to take off last week, Monday, but was postponed. And up until now, we don’t have answers,” Onyekwelu said.
“Please fast-track the process and let these people at least go back home and have some rest,” he added.
Onyekwelu said the situation of those awaiting evacuation is worsening daily.
“Their condition here is deteriorating more and more. They don’t have money again for rent. They don’t have money for transport. They don’t even have food,” he said.
NICASA had earlier warned that hundreds of Nigerians who responded to the government’s voluntary repatriation programme were now stranded without shelter, food or financial means after travelling long distances to register for evacuation.
Concerns have been raised by Nigerians registered for voluntary repatriation in South Africa over flight delays, with affected individuals calling for urgent government intervention. The NICASA president says remaining evacuees are expected to be transported before the end of… https://t.co/VhIhntwbGc pic.twitter.com/SwawOZYWxO
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) June 22, 2026
Onyekwelu said the Nigerian High Commissioner confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assured citizens that all remaining evacuees would be repatriated on or before June 30.
“We are hoping that our government will work with that timeline,” he said, adding that the people are “getting more impatient.”
“Their frustration, lack of food, lack of accommodation is also affecting them,” Onyekwelu said.
Some Nigerian nationals in South Africa have gathered at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, protesting delays in repatriation flights and the processing of their return. https://t.co/xHTjMitBqT pic.twitter.com/Khrf7wmB80
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) June 22, 2026
The repatriation exercise follows weeks of anti-immigrant violence in South Africa that has displaced thousands and prompted several African governments to evacuate their citizens.
More than 1,000 Nigerians have registered for voluntary repatriation, according to Nigerian authorities. The first flight departed on June 11 carrying about 270 passengers , while the second flight has been delayed due to “unforeseen logistical considerations”.
A March and March group, a South African activist organisation, had set a June 30 deadline for undocumented immigrants to leave the country, with its supporters holding protests and marches in major cities demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave.
