Nigerians stranded in South Africa on Monday staged a protest at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria over delays in the federal government's repatriation programme for citizens who registered to return home.

The demonstration comes amid growing concerns among undocumented migrants following a June 30 deadline reportedly issued by anti-migrant groups for foreigners without valid documentation to leave the country.

On June 18, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, assured Nigerians in South Africa that the government would not abandon any citizen willing to return home. Her assurance followed the successful evacuation of 258 Nigerians, the first government-organised repatriation flight amid increasing xenophobic tensions in the country.

The Federal Government had announced plans to operate four additional flights to bring more Nigerians back home. However, the second flight, originally scheduled for June 15, was postponed, leaving many registered returnees stranded.

During the protest, several Nigerians expressed frustration over what they described as the slow pace of the evacuation process. According to them, many had already made sacrifices and preparations after responding to the government's call for voluntary repatriation.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, President of the Nigerian Community in South Africa, Smart Nwobu, urged the Federal Government and relevant agencies to accelerate the evacuation exercise.

“As you know, only one flight has left. The question is, when is the second batch? When is the third batch? When is the fourth batch?” Nwobu asked.

He said those who registered for the programme had been assured that the second flight would depart on June 15, but the date passed without any evacuation.

“We were promised that the second batch would be here on June 15. The date has come and gone. People have become destitute and their conditions have worsened,” he said.

“Nigerians are now sleeping on the streets, and some have had their documents cancelled because of their registration for the evacuation programme.”

Nwobu said the protesters gathered at the High Commission to express their dissatisfaction and call on the government to complete the evacuation process before the end of June.

“We are appealing to the government. That is why they are here—to show their frustration and unhappiness with the situation,” he added.

He stressed that the stranded Nigerians want the authorities to expedite the process and ensure that all registered returnees are airlifted on or before June 30.