The Federal Government has begun arrangements to repatriate over 1,000 Nigerians from South Africa amid growing concerns over rising anti-immigrant sentiment and renewed xenophobic tensions in the country.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Friday that screening for a voluntary repatriation programme started on Thursday, with officials expecting more than 1,000 citizens to take part.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa told AFP that the final number was yet to be confirmed but indicated it would likely exceed 1,000.
“Total figure not out yet,” he said. “We are expecting over 1,000 persons.”
The development follows a similar move by Ghana, which recently repatriated hundreds of its nationals from South Africa due to increasing fears of protests and violence targeting foreign nationals.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria said it had “negotiated waivers with host authorities” to ensure that individuals with immigration-related offences would be allowed
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