The Federal Government has begun arrangements to repatriate over 1,000 Nigerians from South Africa amid growing concerns over rising anti-immigrant sentiment and renewed xenophobic tensions in the country.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Friday that screening for a voluntary repatriation programme started on Thursday, with officials expecting more than 1,000 citizens to take part.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa told AFP that the final number was yet to be confirmed but indicated it would likely exceed 1,000.
“Total figure not out yet,” he said. “We are expecting over 1,000 persons.”
The development follows a similar move by Ghana, which recently repatriated hundreds of its nationals from South Africa due to increasing fears of protests and violence targeting foreign nationals.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria said it had “negotiated waivers with host authorities” to ensure that individuals with immigration-related offences would be allowed to return on repatriation flights rather than face detention.
South Africa, once the continent’s most industrialised economy, has continued to attract migrants from across the region. However, with unemployment levels exceeding 30 per cent, the country has experienced repeated waves of xenophobic unrest, including fresh incidents in recent weeks.
The latest tensions have reignited wider continental discussions on xenophobia, migration, and the gap between Pan-African ideals and the realities faced by migrants.
A recent ultimatum issued by a citizen-led group demanding the expulsion of undocumented migrants by June 30 has heightened fears of further violence, following past outbreaks that left dozens dead.
Last month, Ghana repatriated about 300 nationals in the first phase of an expected return of roughly 800 citizens.
Meanwhile, the South African government says it is intensifying enforcement against undocumented migrants, while urging citizens to avoid taking the law into their own hands.
According to the statistics agency, more than three million foreigners live in South Africa, making up about 5.1 per cent of the population. Over 63 per cent of these migrants are from countries within the 16-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc.