FG Moves to Secure Compensation for Nigerians Forced to Abandon Businesses, Properties in South Africa

The Federal Government has announced plans to pursue compensation from the South African government for Nigerian citizens who were compelled to abandon businesses, homes and other valuable assets while voluntarily returning to Nigeria amid escalating anti-immigration tensions in the country.

The disclosure was made by Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, during an interview on Channels Television, where he outlined the government’s next steps following the ongoing voluntary evacuation of Nigerians from the southern African nation.

According to Ajayi, the Nigerian government has begun compiling detailed records of businesses, vehicles, landed properties and other assets left behind by returning citizens. The documentation exercise, he explained, will serve as the foundation for official discussions with South African authorities on compensation.

The move follows renewed hostility towards foreign nationals in South Africa, where anti-immigration groups have intensified campaigns accusing undocumented migrants and other foreign workers of taking jobs that should belong to South African citizens. The situation has created widespread anxiety among immigrants, including many Nigerians, prompting dozens to take advantage of the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme.

Reports also indicate that some civil society groups and anti-immigration campaigners had set June 30 as a deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country, further heightening concerns within immigrant communities.

Speaking on the issue, Ajayi revealed that he had already initiated discussions with senior South African officials regarding the fate of properties abandoned by returning Nigerians.

He disclosed that during a recent meeting with South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, both sides discussed the need to properly document the assets left behind by evacuees before pursuing further engagement.

According to the envoy, Nigerians returning home have been instructed to provide comprehensive records of everything they are leaving behind, including businesses, vehicles, movable assets and landed properties.

He explained that once the documentation process is completed, the Nigerian government will formally present the information to the South African authorities while seeking appropriate compensation for affected citizens.

Ajayi stressed that the government’s intervention would not end with simply transporting Nigerians back home, noting that officials intend to systematically follow up on every verified claim submitted by returnees.

He urged those participating in the evacuation programme to ensure that the information they provide is accurate and detailed, saying such records would strengthen Nigeria’s case during negotiations.

The Acting High Commissioner further assured affected Nigerians that both governments would work together to identify the exact locations of abandoned businesses, shops and other properties to determine the appropriate course of action.

According to him, the Federal Government is determined to ensure that years of investment and hard work by Nigerians in South Africa are not lost or unlawfully taken over without due consideration.

Ajayi also clarified that those returning to Nigeria were doing so voluntarily in response to growing fears over planned anti-immigration protests and the worsening atmosphere in parts of South Africa. He added that a significant number of Nigerians still residing in the country are believed to be undocumented, making them particularly vulnerable to the ongoing crackdown.

Meanwhile, another batch of evacuated Nigerians arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Tuesday under the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation initiative.

The latest group joins the 258 Nigerians who returned on June 11 and another 66 evacuees who arrived on June 24, as authorities continue efforts to assist citizens choosing to leave South Africa amid the uncertain security and immigration climate.