The Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to provide immediate and comprehensive support to Nigerians repatriated from South Africa, including financial aid, temporary housing, and the creation of a dedicated “returnee entrepreneurs fund” to help rebuild livelihoods. In a statement released on Thursday, NUSA’s national publicity secretary, Akindele Olunloyo, emphasized that the federal government must treat the repatriation process as the start of a long-term reintegration effort, not its conclusion. He highlighted that 324 Nigerians were repatriated in two batches—258 on June 11 and 66 on June 24—while another 271 were airlifted on June 29. An estimated 400 more have already registered and obtained clearance certificates, awaiting return.
Olunloyo noted that many Nigerians still in South Africa face significant barriers to returning, including financial constraints, lack of proper travel documents, and unresolved business and family obligations. Despite these challenges, he commended the federal government for its diplomatic efforts through the Nigerian Consulate and High Commission, including evacuations, safety advisories, and public statements condemning xenophobic attacks. He urged the government to leverage Nigeria’s economic ties with South Africa more strategically, suggesting that trade and diplomatic privileges should be linked to the protection of Nigerian nationals.
The NUSA official called for stronger government action, including the establishment of a comprehensive repatriation programme, recall of diplomatic staff to exert greater pressure, compensation for victims, increased staffing at Nigerian missions in South Africa, and improved record-keeping of affected citizens. He stressed the need for emergency financial assistance to cover basic needs upon arrival, temporary accommodation, psychological counselling, and medical care for those injured during attacks. He also advocated for skills assessment, vocational training, business grants, interest-free loans, job placement services, and educational support for children whose schooling was disrupted.
Olunloyo proposed the creation of a “returnee entrepreneurs fund” to support repatriated Nigerians in rebuilding their businesses, with priority access to government contracts, tax incentives, and a dedicated desk within the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to coordinate returnee affairs. He condemned the xenophobic attacks as a betrayal of Pan-Africanism and Ubuntu, attributing them to economic frustrations, misinformation, and inadequate government response. He pointed out that Nigerians contribute significantly to South Africa’s economy, citing Aliko Dangote’s R1 billion Sephaku Cement investment as the largest African foreign direct investment in the country.
Despite some stabilization, Olunloyo described the current situation for Nigerians in South Africa as “cautiously tense,” with ongoing targeted hostility, business disruptions, and persistent anxiety. He warned that without sustained government support, the reintegration of returnees could be jeopardized, affecting both individual well-being and Nigeria’s standing in the global diaspora community. The federal government’s next steps will be critical in shaping the future of repatriated Nigerians and reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to its citizens abroad.
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