Nigeria says it will seek compensation from South Africa for citizens who have been forced to abandon businesses and property following recent anti-migrant protests targeting undocumented foreigners.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said the issue would be raised between both governments “at the highest levels,” stressing that all claims would first be thoroughly verified before any formal compensation request is submitted.
The announcement comes as Nigeria continues to repatriate its citizens from South Africa. Authorities say more than 600 Nigerians have already been returned in recent weeks, with additional evacuations ongoing.
Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa Alexander Ajayi said the government has begun documenting businesses, homes, and assets left behind by affected nationals as part of preparations for potential compensation claims.
Among those affected is a Nigerian trader, Oghodero Erejor Wilson, 32, who said he fled his business in Centurion, Gauteng province, fearing for his safety after nearly a decade living in South Africa.
“I left everything in my house including clothes,” he said, estimating the value of goods left behind at more than 16,000 rand ($975).
Wilson, whose residency documents expired in 2021, said he had been unable to renew them and was now awaiting repatriation to Nigeria. He expressed uncertainty over whether compensation would materialize.
“If South Africa government can compensate it, it will be nice, but I know they won’t,” he said.
South African authorities have maintained that those repatriated were residing in the country illegally, a position Nigeria disputes, underscoring ongoing diplomatic tensions over migration enforcement and documentation.
The developments follow a wave of anti-migrant protests across parts of South Africa, where groups have called for stricter action against undocumented migration. Some demonstrations included deadlines for foreign nationals to leave the country.
South African police said around 900 people were arrested during the unrest, mostly for immigration-related offences and looting. While many protests remained peaceful, isolated incidents of violence against foreign nationals were reported.
It is estimated that around 25,000 nationals from several African countries have left South Africa in recent weeks amid the unrest.
