NIDCOM secures return of three Nigerians stranded in South Africa

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has confirmed that three Nigerians who were stranded at a South African airport have been cleared and are expected to arrive in Lagos on Monday morning.

In a statement on Sunday, NIDCOM attributed the incident to several factors, including over-reliance on unregulated visa agents.

“These agents often collect applicants’ passport data and complete sections of the visa application—covering purpose of visit, itinerary, accommodation, and ties to Nigeria—without the full knowledge or approval of the travelers,” the commission stated.

According to NIDCOM, this often leaves applicants unable to defend the information during immigration interviews, resulting in entry refusal. In this case, one individual had previously posted insulting remarks about the South African government online, placing him on a watchlist and aggravating the situation when questioned at the port of entry.

The commission advised Nigerian travelers to:

Apply for visas directly or through licensed, verifiable agents.
Personally review and approve all sections of their application.
Be prepared to defend their information during immigration interviews.
Be mindful of their digital footprint, as social media posts can trigger secondary screening or visa denial.
Carry genuine supporting documents for all travel purposes.

NIDCOM assured that it would continue monitoring the situation and engaging with South African authorities to prevent similar incidents.

“We strongly urge all Nigerians planning international travel to exercise due diligence. Responsible preparation protects not only the individual but also Nigeria’s reputation,” the commission added.