President of the Nigeria Union South Africa, Smart Nwobi, has revealed that no fewer than 1,000 Nigerians living in South Africa have indicated interest to voluntarily return home.
He told Saturday PUNCH on Friday that the voluntary repatriation process was being coordinated through the South African authorities, with many Nigerians opting to return after becoming stranded or unable to regularise their immigration status.
According to him, many of those seeking to leave South Africa had unsuccessfully applied for work permits, business permits and other residency documents, leaving them vulnerable under the country’s immigration laws.
“It is understood that the process for voluntary return has been taking place through the relevant South African authorities. So far, over 1,000 Nigerians have expressed interest in returning home,” he said.
Nwobi said some Nigerians had considered returning home even before recent concerns over xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiments in parts of the country.
He explained
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