Dozens of Nigerians who remain stranded in South Africa (SA) are making a renewed appeal to their government for assistance, saying they were left behind after Abuja declared its voluntary repatriation programme complete.

Nigeria concluded the evacuation programme last Thursday, with the final flight departing Johannesburg carrying 305 returnees. In total, nearly 1,490 Nigerian nationals were repatriated. However, despite the official conclusion of the operation, some citizens say they are still waiting to return home.

Earlier, Nigeria's Acting High Commissioner to SA, Alexander Temitope Ajayi, assured nationals that plans to repatriate those wishing to return remain in place, although the process had been temporarily suspended due to operational constraints. 

Lulu Gaboo spoke to Ajayi.