Nigeria Demands Payback After Citizens Leave South Africa

Sun Sep 06 2026 21:34:56 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Nigeria will seek compensation from South Africa for Nigerians who fled after anti‑migrant protests, leaving businesses and homes behind.

Facing a wave of anti‑migrant unrest in South Africa, Nigeria’s government is preparing to ask for compensation for citizens who abandoned their assets while evacuating. The move comes after a spike of protests that pushed about 600 Nigerians to return to Lagos. Nigerian traders, like Oghodero Wilson, are urging authorities to verify claims and award payouts. The dispute highlights regional tensions over migration policies and economic security.

Nigeria Demands Payback After Citizens Leave South Africa

When a wave of anti‑migrant protests hit Johannesburg and Cape Town, many Nigerians decided to pop the brakes on their South African dreams. Over 600 people fled back to Lagos, abandoning businesses and homes along the way. Nigeria’s foreign ministry says it will ask South Africa for compensation, a move that could stir international tensions.

Acting High Commissioner Alexander Ajayi told local TV that the Nigerian embassy has catalogued every abandoned shop, car and property, saying the government will “check each claim before making demands.” Senior diplomat Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa confirmed that discussions would happen at the highest diplomatic level.

Oghodero Wilson – a 32‑year‑old clothing trader who ran a shop in Centurion, Gauteng – is one of those left in limbo. He says his residency papers expired in 2021, leaving him without a legal footing. Wilson estimates the merchandise in his shop is worth about 16,000 rand (≈$975). He remains skeptical: “If South Africa can compensate, that would be nice, but I know they won’t.”

South Africa claims the evacuees were in the country illegally and that the repatriation flights were legal. However, the Nigerian government disputes this narrative, insisting the flights were humanitarian. Meanwhile, police in South Africa announced roughly 900 arrests during the blockades, most for immigration offences and looting.

Why this matters: The case isn’t just about money—it is about the safety of migrants, the rule of law, and whether countries can hold each other accountable when the safety of citizens is in doubt. For younger viewers out there, this is a reminder that today’s global headline can turn into a story that shapes your future.

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