The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has confirmed that three Nigerians stranded at an airport in South Africa have been cleared to return home.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement released on Sunday, the Commission said the individuals had departed South Africa and were expected to arrive in Lagos on Monday morning.
While welcoming their safe return, NIDCOM attributed the incident to several underlying issues, particularly the growing reliance on unregulated visa agents.
“These agents often collect applicants’ passport data pages and complete sections of the visa application — particularly on purpose of visit, itinerary, accommodation, and ties to Nigeria — without the full knowledge or approval of the travelers,” the statement read in part.
The Commission noted that such practices often leave applicants unable to defend the information submitted on their behalf during immigration interviews, leading to refusal of entry.
“In this particular case, one of the individuals had previously posted insulting remarks about the South African government online.
“This had already placed him on their watchlist. When confronted at the port of entry, he was unable to defend or substantiate those statements, which further aggravated the situation,” the statement added.
NIDCOM advised Nigerians to apply for visas directly or through licensed and verifiable agents, stressing that applicants must personally review and approve all submitted information.
It also urged travellers to ensure they can clearly explain and defend their travel details during immigration checks, while remaining mindful of their digital footprint.
“Immigration authorities routinely conduct social media checks. Derogatory or inflammatory posts [about other countries or your home country] can lead to secondary screening or visa denial.
“Always travel with genuine, well-documented reasons for your visit and carry all necessary supporting evidence,” the statement added.
The Commission assured that it would continue to engage relevant South African authorities to prevent a recurrence.
“We strongly urge all Nigerians planning international travel to exercise due diligence. Responsible preparation protects not only the individual but also Nigeria’s reputation,” it said.
