More than 3,000 Nigerian citizens are currently stranded across major cities in South Africa, facing homelessness, hunger, legal uncertainty, and rising xenophobic pressure, sparking renewed calls for urgent intervention by the Federal Government.

The affected Nigerians, many of whom have lost jobs or overstayed visas amid a harsh economic climate, are reportedly sleeping in overcrowded shelters or relying on the limited support of fellow nationals. Several are said to be ill, undocumented, or traumatised, with little access to social services and no clear pathway home.

Stakeholders say the situation represents a critical test of the Federal Government’s citizen diplomacy policy, a key pillar of the foreign agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises the protection and welfare of Nigerians abroad.

Members of the Nigerian community in South Africa, operating under the umbrella of the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa, described the condition of many stranded citizens as dire, citing expired immigration documents, job losses, xenophobic attacks, and the rising cost of living as major factors worsening their plight.

They expressed concern over what they described as a slow and inadequate official response, warning that continued inaction could undermine Nigeria’s moral standing and diplomatic credibility. According to them, many countries routinely evacuate their citizens at the first sign of danger, reinforcing the idea that citizenship carries tangible protection.

Observers argue that Nigeria has the institutional capacity to respond through coordinated action involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, and the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, alongside aviation and security agencies, to organise evacuation and reintegration programmes.

They warn that beyond the immediate humanitarian cost, prolonged neglect could damage Nigeria’s global image, weaken its negotiating leverage, and erode confidence among diaspora Nigerians who contribute significantly to the economy through remittances.

While acknowledging the Federal Government’s policy commitment to citizen diplomacy, community leaders insist that practical action is now required. They maintain that the stranded Nigerians are not seeking charity but are demanding their constitutional right to protection, dignity, and safe return to Nigeria.

Calls continue to mount for swift, decisive, and humane intervention, as advocates stress that the security and welfare of citizens remain the primary purpose of government and a true measure of national responsibility on the global stage.