Over 1,000 Nigerians living in South Africa have expressed interest in voluntarily returning home, according to Smart Nwobi, President of the Nigeria Union South Africa. The repatriation process is being coordinated through South African authorities, with many Nigerians opting to leave after facing difficulties in regularising their immigration status or becoming stranded due to expired visas and rejected asylum applications. Nwobi disclosed this during an interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday, highlighting the growing number of Nigerians seeking safe and legal ways to return to Nigeria.
Many of those wishing to return had previously applied for work permits, business permits, and other residency documents but were unsuccessful. This left them vulnerable under South Africa’s strict immigration laws, which classify individuals who overstay their visas or have rejected asylum applications as illegal immigrants. As a result, these Nigerians found themselves in precarious situations, unable to work legally or move freely within the country.
Nwobi noted that some Nigerians had already considered returning home even before recent spikes in xenophobic incidents and anti-immigrant sentiments in parts of South Africa. However, fear of arrest or detention at airports deterred many from attempting to leave. He explained that undocumented migrants often face legal consequences when trying to depart through official channels, as South African law allows for arrest under the Immigration Act for unlawful presence in the country.
The union leader emphasized that most of those seeking repatriation are not criminals but ordinary individuals whose immigration applications were denied. They now wish to rebuild their lives in Nigeria after years of living abroad. He called for stronger collaboration between Nigerian and South African authorities to ensure the safe and orderly return of these citizens.
Nwobi also urged the Nigerian Federal Government to establish support systems for returnees, including reintegration programmes, job placement, and access to basic services. He stressed that many returnees may face challenges adjusting to life back home after prolonged absence and need government assistance to succeed.
The voluntary return initiative reflects a growing trend among Nigerian migrants in South Africa who are seeking legal pathways to return. With continued efforts from both governments and civil society, the process could set a precedent for managing migration and repatriation in a humane and orderly manner. This development underscores the need for sustainable policies to support Nigerians abroad and those returning home.
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