Federal Government has initiated plans to repatriate more than 1,000 Nigerians living in South Africa following renewed concerns over anti-immigrant sentiments and rising xenophobic tensions in the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that screening for a voluntary return programme commenced on Thursday, with authorities expecting a large number of Nigerians to take part.
Speaking on the development, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said the final number of applicants was still being compiled but would likely surpass 1,000.
“Total figure not out yet,” he said. “We are expecting over 1,000 persons.”
Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria disclosed that it had secured waivers from South African authorities to enable Nigerians with immigration-related offences to leave the country through the repatriation arrangement instead of facing detention.
The development comes shortly after Ghana repatriated hundreds of its citizens from South Africa amid growing fears of anti-foreigner protests and violence.
South Africa, once regarded as Africa’s leading industrial economy, has continued to attract migrants from across the continent despite struggling with an unemployment rate exceeding 30 per cent.
Recent weeks have witnessed a resurgence of xenophobic tensions, reigniting debates about migration, regional integration and the treatment of foreign nationals within Africa.
Concerns have intensified after a citizen-led group reportedly issued a June 30 deadline demanding the expulsion of undocumented migrants, raising fears of a repeat of previous violent attacks that claimed dozens of lives.
While South African authorities have pledged stricter enforcement against illegal immigration, they have also urged residents not to resort to vigilante actions, as the country remains home to more than three million foreign nationals, many from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.