The Federal Government says it will engage the South African authorities to seek compensation for Nigerians forced to abandon their businesses and properties while returning home amid renewed anti-immigrant protests.
Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, disclosed this on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, as another batch of Nigerians was expected to arrive in Lagos under the Federal Government’s voluntary evacuation programme.
Ajayi explained that those being repatriated voluntarily chose to return to Nigeria ahead of planned anti-immigrant demonstrations in South Africa.
He said the Nigerian government had begun documenting businesses, vehicles and other assets left behind by returnees as part of efforts to pursue compensation through diplomatic channels.
“Just three days ago, I met with the South African Deputy Minister of Finance and we discussed the issue. We agreed that Nigerians returning home should accurately document everything they are leaving behind, including businesses, vehicles, movable and immovable properties,” he said.
According to him, the information gathered will be verified and presented to the South African government as part of discussions on possible compensation.
“This repatriation will not end with simply bringing our people back to Nigeria. We will systematically follow up on the information they provide and work with the South African government to identify the affected businesses and properties. We will seek possible compensation because we cannot allow years of hard work and investment to be lost,” Ajayi added.
The Acting High Commissioner also rejected claims that most Nigerians living in South Africa are undocumented, insisting that the majority entered the country legally.
He attributed the situation to delays by South Africa’s Home Office in processing immigration renewals, affecting not only Nigerians but many other foreign nationals.
“There has been a backlog of applications at the South African Home Office over the past three to four years due to systemic challenges. Many foreigners, including Nigerians, have been affected by these delays. It would therefore be inaccurate to describe them as undocumented because they entered the country legally and were only waiting for the renewal of their documents,” he said.
Ajayi noted that some Nigerians had experienced delays lasting several years while awaiting the renewal of their immigration papers.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that an Air Peace aircraft departed Nigeria on Monday and was expected to return to Lagos on Tuesday with another group of Nigerians participating in the voluntary evacuation programme.
The evacuation comes ahead of planned anti-immigration protests scheduled to begin on June 30, with the Federal Government continuing to facilitate the return of Nigerians who have expressed a willingness to leave South Africa.
