Hundreds of Nigerians who enrolled in the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme have been left stranded in South Africa without shelter, food, or financial support, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria, citing the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa.

The affected Nigerians reportedly became stranded following delays in the scheduled evacuation flights, preventing them from returning home despite complying with all official requirements and directives under the repatriation programme.

NICASA disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, with its National President, Frank Onyekwelu, warning that a growing humanitarian crisis is affecting Nigerian families who travelled from various provinces across South Africa after being instructed to present themselves for registration and screening.

According to the report, Onyekwelu said many of the affected Nigerians had depleted their limited financial resources after undertaking long journeys in good faith, believing that all necessary arrangements for their return to Nigeria had already been finalised.

“Today, numerous families, including women and children, are stranded without shelter, food, transportation or financial means to sustain themselves,” he said.

“The situation has become increasingly distressing as some of our nationals have been left sleeping in difficult conditions, uncertain of when they will return home. Several have exhausted their limited resources after travelling long distances in good faith, believing that arrangements had been adequately concluded for their departure.”

He alleged that some of the affected citizens were subjected to humiliation, insensitive treatment, and inadequate communication by certain officials during the registration and screening process.

According to him, Nigerians who complied with the government’s directives and participated in the exercise in good faith deserved to be treated with dignity and respect.

NICASA urged the Federal Government to take immediate action by fast-tracking the completion of the repatriation programme, providing emergency assistance, and putting in place a humanitarian support framework for Nigerians who remain stranded while awaiting their return to the country.

The association said it understands that the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa is working to improve communication with affected citizens, provide temporary welfare assistance, and engage community leaders to address the immediate needs of those stranded.

Onyekwelu reaffirmed NICASA’s commitment to collaborating with the Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful completion of the voluntary repatriation programme. He stressed that the plight of stranded Nigerians demands urgent and decisive intervention to alleviate their suffering and facilitate their safe return home.

The plight of the stranded Nigerians comes amid a continuing wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa that has persisted since April 2026. The violence has prompted several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Malawi, to evacuate hundreds of their citizens from the country over growing concerns about their safety and wellbeing.