The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to repatriate more than 1,000 Nigerian nationals from South Africa following renewed xenophobic tensions and anti-immigrant protests in the country.
According to officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, screening has already begun at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria as preparations intensify for voluntary evacuation flights. An initial group of about 400 Nigerians is currently undergoing processing ahead of departure.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa confirmed that the final number is still being compiled but is expected to exceed 1,000 individuals.
“Total figure not out yet. We are expecting over 1,000 persons,” he said.
In a statement issued earlier, Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria explained that arrangements were being made with South African authorities to grant waivers for Nigerians with immigration-related offences. This will allow them to leave the country through official repatriation flights instead of facing arrest or detention.
The mission said the initiative is aimed at ensuring a safe and orderly return for affected citizens amid rising insecurity linked to anti-migrant protests.
The decision follows a recent surge in xenophobic incidents across several South African cities, including Pretoria and Johannesburg, where protests have targeted foreign nationals, leading to deaths, destruction of property, and widespread fear among immigrant communities.
South Africa has continued to experience periodic outbreaks of anti-immigrant sentiment, driven largely by high unemployment levels and economic pressure, with joblessness estimated to be above 30 percent.
Authorities in South Africa have urged calm and warned against vigilante actions, even as enforcement against undocumented migrants has been tightened.
Nigeria’s evacuation effort mirrors similar interventions by other African countries responding to safety concerns affecting their citizens abroad, highlighting ongoing regional challenges around migration and xenophobia on the continent.
