The Federal Government is planning to repatriate more than 1,000 Nigerian nationals from South Africa amid rising anti-immigrant tensions in the country.
Nigeria’s foreign ministry said the move follows increasing concerns over xenophobic protests and violence targeting foreign nationals in South Africa, a major destination for both documented and undocumented African workers.
According to ministry spokesman Kimiebi Ebienfa, screening for the voluntary repatriation scheme began on Thursday, with officials expecting over 1,000 Nigerians to be affected, although the final figure is yet to be confirmed.
In a statement, Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria said it had negotiated waivers with South African authorities to ensure that Nigerians with immigration-related offences would be allowed to return home without detention through organised repatriation flights.
South Africa, Africa’s most industrialised economy, has long attracted migrant workers from across the continent. However, high unemployment levels and recurring xenophobic tensions have contributed to periodic outbreaks of violence against foreign nationals.
Recent weeks have seen renewed protests and threats against undocumented migrants, including an ultimatum issued by a citizen-led group demanding expulsions by June 30, raising fears of further unrest.
The South African government has intensified enforcement against illegal immigration but has also urged citizens to avoid taking the law into their own hands.
There are more than three million foreign nationals living in South Africa, representing about 5.1 percent of the population, according to official statistics.
The latest tensions have once again highlighted ongoing debates across Africa about xenophobia, migration, and regional integration.