The Federal Government has begun moves to seek compensation from the South African government for Nigerians who were forced to abandon businesses and other assets amid renewed anti-immigrant protests in the country.
Alexander Ajayi, Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, disclosed this on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
Ajayi said many Nigerians voluntarily chose to return home ahead of planned anti-immigrant demonstrations. He revealed that the government has started documenting businesses, vehicles and other properties left behind by returnees as part of preparations for formal compensation discussions with South African authorities.
According to Ajayi, preliminary discussions have already been held with South African officials, with affected Nigerians now being encouraged to provide detailed records of their abandoned assets.
“Just three days ago, I met with the South African Deputy Minister of Finance and we discussed the matter. We agreed that Nigerians returning home should begin documenting everything they are leaving behind,” he said.
“I instructed them before they departed to accurately record all businesses, vehicles, movable and immovable properties they are abandoning. With that information, we can engage the South African government and pursue compensation.”
He stressed that the Federal Government’s intervention would go beyond evacuating citizens.
“This repatriation will not end with simply bringing people back to Nigeria. We will systematically follow up on every piece of information provided. We will work with the South African authorities to verify the locations of these businesses and properties and formally present our claims for possible compensation.
“We cannot allow the years of hard work and investments made by our citizens to simply disappear or be taken over by others,” Ajayi added.
Ajayi also rejected claims that most Nigerians living in South Africa are undocumented migrants.
He explained that many entered the country legally but became victims of administrative delays in the processing and renewal of immigration documents.
“There has been a backlog of applications at the South African Home Office over the past three to four years due to systemic challenges. Many Nigerians and other foreign nationals have been caught in these delays,” he said.
“To describe them as undocumented is inaccurate. Most entered South Africa legally and only encountered problems while trying to renew expired documents because their applications remained pending for years.”
The compensation initiative comes amid growing concerns over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa following renewed threats of xenophobic attacks.
Dozens of Nigerians reportedly sought refuge at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria while awaiting evacuation arrangements by the Federal Government. Women and children were given priority accommodation within the mission as authorities coordinated the evacuation process.
The Federal Government says it will continue engaging South African authorities to protect the rights of affected Nigerians while pursuing compensation for verified losses resulting from the latest wave of anti-immigrant unrest.
