By Paul Joseph
The Federal Government has commenced plans to evacuate more than 1,000 Nigerians from South Africa as concerns mount over renewed xenophobic tensions and growing anti-immigrant sentiment in the country.
Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday confirmed that screening for a voluntary repatriation programme began on Thursday, with authorities expecting over 1,000 Nigerians to register for the exercise.
Spokesperson for the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the exact number of returnees is yet to be determined but is expected to surpass 1,000.
“The total figure is not out yet. We are expecting over 1,000 people,” he said.
The move comes amid heightened concerns over the safety of foreign nationals in South Africa, following recent protests and threats directed at undocumented migrants. It also follows a similar evacuation exercise undertaken by Ghana, which recently repatriated hundreds of its citizens over fears of violence targeting foreigners.
In a statement released earlier this week, Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria disclosed that it had secured waivers from South African authorities to allow Nigerians with immigration-related infractions to return home through repatriation flights rather than face detention or legal proceedings.
South Africa, long regarded as one of Africa’s leading economic destinations, continues to attract migrants from across the continent. However, persistent economic challenges, including unemployment rates above 30 per cent, have contributed to recurring outbreaks of xenophobic violence over the years.
Recent incidents have reignited debate across Africa about migration, regional integration, and the challenges facing foreign nationals despite the continent’s commitment to Pan-African cooperation.
Tensions have been further heightened by an ultimatum reportedly issued by a citizen-led group demanding that undocumented migrants leave the country before June 30, raising fears of a repeat of previous outbreaks of violence that claimed dozens of lives.
Last month, Ghana repatriated approximately 300 citizens in the first phase of what authorities expect to be the return of about 800 nationals from South Africa.
Meanwhile, the South African government has reiterated its commitment to enforcing immigration laws while urging citizens not to engage in vigilante actions against migrants.
According to official statistics, more than three million foreign nationals reside in South Africa, representing about 5.1 per cent of the country’s population. Nearly two-thirds of them originate from member states of the Southern African Development Community.
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