The Federal Government says it will pursue compensation for Nigerian-owned businesses and properties abandoned in South Africa by citizens returning under its voluntary evacuation programme amid fears of anti-immigrant protests.
Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, disclosed the plan during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, shortly before another batch of evacuated Nigerians arrived in Lagos aboard an Air Peace flight.
Ajayi said the government had begun documenting businesses, vehicles, and other movable and immovable assets left behind by returnees to support future compensation claims with the South African government.
According to him, Nigerian officials have already discussed the issue with South African authorities, including the country’s Deputy Minister of Finance.
He explained that returnees were instructed to provide detailed records of all abandoned assets to enable both governments to verify their locations and ownership.
“We are asking our people to accurately document the businesses, shops, vehicles, and properties they are leaving behind. We will work with the South African government to identify these assets and pursue possible compensation,” Ajayi said.
He stressed that the evacuation exercise would extend beyond bringing Nigerians home, noting that the Federal Government intends to protect investments made by its citizens in South Africa.
Claims Many Nigerians are Undocumented Non-factual
Ajayi also dismissed claims that most Nigerians in South Africa are undocumented migrants. He argued that many entered the country legally but became affected by prolonged delays in the renewal of residence and immigration documents due to administrative backlogs at South Africa’s Home Affairs office.
According to him, the delays have left many foreign nationals—including Nigerians—without valid documentation despite having complied with immigration requirements.
The latest evacuation follows growing concerns over planned anti-immigration demonstrations scheduled to begin on June 30, prompting Nigerian authorities to intensify efforts to assist citizens willing to return home voluntarily.
Earlier on Tuesday, another group of 271 evacuated Nigerians arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos aboard an Air Peace flight organised by the Federal Government.
