The Federal Government has begun arrangements to repatriate more than 1,000 Nigerians from South Africa, as rising anti-immigrant sentiment and fears of renewed xenophobic violence continue to unsettle foreign nationals.
Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that screening for those willing to return under a voluntary repatriation programme started on Thursday. A spokesperson for the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said on Friday that authorities expect over 1,000 Nigerians to take part. “The total figure is not yet out, but we are expecting more than 1,000 persons,” he stated.
The planned evacuation follows a similar move by Ghana, which recently repatriated hundreds of its citizens amid growing anxiety over anti-foreigner demonstrations and violent incidents.
In a statement, the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria said it had obtained waivers from South African authorities to facilitate the smooth departure of affected Nigerians, including those with immigration-related challenges. The commission noted that the arrangement would allow eligible citizens to board repatriation flights without facing detention for certain immigration offences.
South Africa has long been a major destination for migrants from across Africa, attracting both skilled and unskilled workers seeking economic opportunities. However, persistent economic difficulties and an unemployment rate exceeding 30 per cent have fuelled resentment against foreign nationals, who are often accused by some groups of taking jobs and straining public services.
The latest developments follow renewed anti-immigrant agitation, including an ultimatum reportedly issued by a citizen-led group demanding that undocumented migrants leave the country before 30 June. The threat has revived memories of previous xenophobic attacks that left dozens dead and displaced many foreign nationals.
Although the South African government has stepped up enforcement of immigration laws, authorities have repeatedly urged citizens not to resort to violence or take the law into their own hands. Official statistics indicate that more than three million foreign nationals currently reside in South Africa, representing about 5.1 per cent of the population, with a significant proportion originating from countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.