FG Repatriating Over 1,000 Nationals From S’Africa as Tensions Rise

Nigeria is preparing to repatriate more than 1,000 of its citizens from South Africa amid rising anti-immigrant tensions in the country, which has long attracted both documented and undocumented African migrants seeking work opportunities.

The move follows a similar action by Ghana, which recently repatriated hundreds of its nationals from South Africa in response to increasing protests and violent incidents targeting foreign residents.

According to the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, screening for the voluntary repatriation programme began on Thursday. Foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa confirmed the development in a statement on Friday, noting that final figures were still being compiled.

“Total figure not out yet. We are expecting over a 1,000 persons,” he said.

In a communiqué dated Tuesday, Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria stated that it had “negotiated waivers with host authorities” to ensure that Nigerians with immigration-related offences would not be detained. Instead, they will be allowed to leave South Africa through coordinated repatriation flights.

South Africa, Africa’s most industrialised economy, continues to serve as a major destination for migrant workers from across the continent. However, it has also experienced recurring waves of xenophobic unrest, often linked to high unemployment rates exceeding 30 per cent.

Recent weeks have seen renewed tensions and sporadic violence against foreign nationals, reviving long-standing concerns about xenophobia and migration pressures in the country.

A citizen-led group recently issued an ultimatum demanding the expulsion of undocumented migrants by June 30, raising fears of further unrest. The South African government has responded by intensifying enforcement actions against illegal immigration while urging citizens to avoid taking the law into their own hands.

According to official statistics, more than three million foreigners live in South Africa, representing about 5.1 per cent of the population. A significant proportion of them originate from countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

The developments have sparked wider continental discussions on migration, economic inequality, and the gap between pan-African solidarity rhetoric and the realities faced by migrants in host countries.