Approximately 270 Nigerian nationals residing in South Africa are returning home tonight following sustained protests targeting undocumented foreign nationals, according to developments monitored from Lagos. The repatriation exercise, personally requested by Nigeria’s President, comes as diplomatic tensions escalate between Africa’s two largest economies.
Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojuku, stated that the Nigerian government is dissatisfied with the situation and believes South African authorities are not doing enough to protect foreign nationals. She referenced disturbing images of law enforcement standing by while civilians engaged in looting and mistreatment of migrants. “Nigeria isn’t happy with the situation,” Ojuku told journalists, emphasizing that the federal government has directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to prepare reception arrangements for returnees arriving at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The protests in South Africa, described as largely peaceful, have sparked intense debate within Nigeria’s National Assembly. Some lawmakers have expressed strong anger, with one member suggesting Nigeria should target South African corporate businesses operating within its borders as a retaliatory measure. While no street protests against South African companies have been reported in Nigeria at present, observers recall incidents in 2021 when businesses associated with South African interests were attacked without prior organized demonstrations. Security experts have called for heightened protection of South African corporate assets following the arrival of the returnees.
Jonathan James Lyamgohn, a journalist based in Lagos, noted that initial information about the situation reached Nigeria primarily through social media, leading to confusion between verified reports, exaggerations, and disinformation. He explained that public sentiment has since been shaped by official statements and personal accounts from citizens with family in South Africa.
A central point of contention for many Nigerians is the perception that hostility is being directed specifically at fellow black Africans. Ojuku questioned why such treatment is “meted out on fellow black Africans” when other nationalities are present in South Africa. Lyamgohn added that many Nigerians struggle to reconcile claims that migrants are taking jobs from locals, citing examples of street vendors and small-scale traders. He referenced statements by South African political figure Julius Malema, who has challenged the logic that informal sector workers displace South African employment.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged the complexity of the situation, describing it as “hydra-headed.” However, Lyamgohn observed that many Nigerians feel the South African government has been ambiguous in its messaging, attempting to avoid offending domestic constituencies while failing to provide clear protection for foreign nationals.
Nigeria itself hosts significant migrant populations from neighboring countries across West Africa and beyond. Officials emphasize the nation’s historical openness to foreigners seeking economic opportunity or refuge. Lyamgohn noted that migration is a global phenomenon driven by diverse factors, including economic opportunity, personal security concerns, and professional mobility—not solely armed conflict.
In personal commentary, Lyamgohn argued that scapegoating migrants distracts from addressing systemic governance challenges. He pointed to recurring patterns of xenophobic incidents in South Africa that have previously targeted Zimbabweans, Mozambicans, and now Nigerians. “Internal security and corruption should be managed by a nation’s own institutions,” he stated, adding that expelling foreign nationals does not resolve underlying issues of service delivery or economic inequality.
The returning Nigerians face uncertain circumstances upon arrival. Many may have lost property or savings during the unrest, and some lack immediate family support in Lagos, requiring assistance to reconnect with relatives across Nigeria’s 36 states. While NEMA has been tasked with reception duties, specific details regarding temporary accommodation, transportation, or financial support have not been publicly disclosed.
Lyamgohn emphasized that many South Africans remain welcoming and hospitable, cautioning against allowing the actions of a minority to define bilateral relations. He noted that migration, when properly managed, benefits both host and origin countries through skills exchange and remittance flows. “Throwing away the baby with the bathwater harms even the South African economy,” he observed.
As the first group of returnees prepares to land, Nigerian authorities and civil society groups await further developments, hoping the repatriation marks a step toward de-escalation while underscoring the need for sustained diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
