LAGOS — Nigeria is preparing to repatriate more than 1,000 of its citizens from South Africa, as concerns grow over renewed anti-immigrant sentiment and sporadic violence targeting foreign nationals, officials said Friday.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said 1,094 people had already registered for voluntary return under a government-assisted programme, with screening processes currently underway in coordination with South African authorities.
“Total figure not out yet, but we are expecting over 1,000 persons,” foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa told AFP.
The move comes amid reports of rising xenophobic tensions in parts of South Africa, where foreign nationals — particularly from other African countries — have repeatedly been accused by some groups of competing for jobs and public services in a country grappling with high unemployment of over 30 percent.
Officials said the repatriation plan is voluntary and is being coordinated to ensure that migrants with immigration-related issues are not detained during departure. Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria has reportedly negotiated waivers with South African authorities to facilitate the process.
The development follows similar actions by other African countries, including Ghana, which recently began evacuating hundreds of its citizens from South Africa after a wave of protests and attacks on foreign communities.
South Africa, Africa’s most industrialised economy, has long been a major destination for migrants from across the continent. However, it has also experienced periodic outbreaks of xenophobic violence over the past decade, often triggered by economic pressure and political rhetoric around undocumented migration.
Nigerian officials have in recent weeks summoned South African diplomatic representatives in Abuja to express concern over reported attacks and the deaths of Nigerian nationals in separate incidents, calling for investigations and accountability.
Human rights groups have repeatedly warned that migrants in South Africa remain vulnerable during periods of social unrest, while authorities in Pretoria have urged calm and pledged to crack down on xenophobic attacks.
The latest repatriation effort is expected to be carried out in phases, with further registrations still ongoing as diplomatic consultations continue between the two countries.
