FG Seeks Compensation for Nigerians Forced to Leave Businesses in South Africa

By Rukevwe Odeh

The Federal Government has begun efforts to pursue compensation for Nigerians who abandoned businesses and other valuable assets while returning from South Africa amid renewed anti-immigrant tensions.

Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, disclosed the development during an interview, explaining that the government is documenting businesses, properties, vehicles, and other investments left behind by affected citizens.

According to Ajayi, the information gathered will support discussions with South African authorities on possible compensation for financial losses suffered by Nigerians who chose to return home.

He revealed that the issue has already been presented to South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, with both countries expected to work together to identify and verify the abandoned assets before any compensation process begins.

Ajayi said returnees were instructed to provide accurate details of all properties and investments they could not recover before leaving South Africa. He noted that the repatriation programme goes beyond evacuating citizens, as the government also intends to safeguard their economic interests.

The latest evacuation follows growing concerns over xenophobic tensions in South Africa, where some foreign nationals, including Nigerians, have faced increasing hostility amid allegations that migrants are taking jobs from local residents.

Another group of Nigerians recently arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos from Johannesburg as part of the government’s voluntary repatriation exercise. Their return follows previous evacuation flights that brought hundreds of Nigerians back to the country earlier in June.

Ajayi maintained that those returning were not deported but voluntarily left due to escalating tensions and planned protests, while acknowledging that some Nigerians living in South Africa do not possess valid immigration documents.

Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged citizens to conduct demonstrations peacefully, stressing that while peaceful protests are protected by law, acts of violence and criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.