Ambassador Alexander Temitope Ajayi, the Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria to South Africa, has moved to calm tensions among stranded and frustrated Nigerian nationals in Pretoria, officially announcing that a coordinated, voluntary evacuation process will take place by the end of the month.
Addressing a crowd gathered outside the diplomatic facilities, Ambassador Ajayi emphasized that the Nigerian government is fully committed to ensuring no citizen is left stranded during this critical window.
”I repeat, none of you will be left behind in this process of evacuation,” Ambassador Ajayi stated, reassuring the crowd that structural measures are being finalized. “Mr. President has already directed that all Nigerians who wish to be evacuated voluntarily will be taken home safely.”
The announcement comes amid growing concerns over the welfare of Nigerians awaiting repatriation in South Africa. Diplomatic officials have faced increasing pressure to streamline communication and ensure secure transport protocols.
In his address, Ambassador Ajayi guaranteed that the repatriation process would prioritize the safety, security, and dignity of every individual involved, promising full protection from regional authorities during the transition.
The evacuation framework includes explicit guarantees that returning citizens will experience:
Zero Molestation: Complete safety from physical or verbal targeting during assembly and transit.
No Harassment: Protections against targeted administrative or street-level profiling.
Absence of Intimidation: A secure operational environment managed directly via diplomatic channels.
Prevention of Harm: Comprehensive safeguards to preserve personal safety throughout the repatriation timeline.
By acknowledging the high emotions and administrative delays that have fueled frustration among the stranded nationals, Ambassador Ajayi appealed directly to the community’s long-standing record of civic compliance. He reminded those present of the unique legal and social complexities tied to navigating an emergency crisis while residing abroad.
”I want to appeal to you to understand and to be calm,” Ambassador Ajayi urged. “You have always been law-abiding… and I want you to continue in that spirit of being law-abiding because we are in a foreign land. This is not our fatherland… and what is happening to all of us is not out of any one of you or our making. It’s an emergency situation.”
The Nigerian High Commission, alongside corresponding bilateral teams, is currently processing registration lists for those opting into the voluntary month-end flights.
Further details regarding exact departure schedules, baggage allowances, and logistics hubs are expected to be released to the public in the coming days.
