The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria has stated that Nigerian citizens seeking to return home from South Africa will be required to finance their own travel, describing the repatriation process as voluntary.
Speaking during a press briefing after a meeting between the Permanent Secretary, Dunoma Ahmed, and South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner, Lesoli Machele, ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said the government’s role would be limited to coordination and facilitation.
“Those willing to leave are expected to approach the high commission and, given that their decision is voluntary, have the resources to fund their return to Nigeria,” he said.
Ebienfa further clarified that the Nigerian government would not be providing aircraft or direct transportation support for the evacuation. “The government will not provide an aircraft from Nigeria to convey them,” he added.
According to the ministry, about 130 Nigerians have so far indicated interest in returning, although their actual departure will depend on their ability to pay for travel arrangements.
“Yes, 130 as of this morning have registered, but actualisation would be required to have their flight ticket to move back to Nigeria,” he said.
He explained that the applicants fall into two categories: those who feel unsafe in South Africa despite having valid documentation, and others who are facing immigration-related violations and prefer to return voluntarily rather than face enforcement actions.
The development comes amid renewed concerns over xenophobic violence and rising insecurity affecting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa. Reports of recent killings involving Nigerians have further heightened diplomatic tensions between both countries.
Following the incidents, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, reportedly summoned the South African envoy to express concern over the safety and treatment of Nigerian citizens.