Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that screening for a voluntary repatriation programme began on Thursday, with authorities actively preparing for a massive turnout.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa stated that while the final number of those seeking to return home has not yet been locked in, the final figure is expected to exceed 1,000 people.

This emergency evacuation follows a similar protective action by Ghana, which recently repatriated some 300 of its own nationals—the first batch of an expected 800 citizens—amid increasing fears over protests and targeted violence directed at foreign nationals.

To facilitate a smooth and safe exit, Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria negotiated specialized immigration waivers with South African host authorities.

These waivers ensure that Nigerians with pending immigration-related offences can legally board the repatriation flights and return home safely rather than being detained at the border.

The latest wave of domestic tension stems from severe economic strain. South Africa, long a major economic hub drawing workers from across the continent, is currently saddled with an unemployment rate of over 30 per cent.

This economic stagnation has triggered repeated spurts of xenophobic protests, which flared up again in recent weeks.

The crisis has been sharply exacerbated by a looming ultimatum from a citizen-led group demanding that illegal migrants be expelled by June 30, raising widespread fears of imminent violence given South Africa’s history of anti-immigrant unrest that has previously claimed dozens of lives.

The unfolding situation has revived painful debates across Africa regarding regional migration and the widening gap between pan-African unity rhetoric and the volatile realities on the ground.

According to national statistics, there are more than three million foreigners currently living in South Africa, making up roughly 5.1 per cent of the total population. Over 63 per cent of these migrants come from neighboring member states within the 16-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc.

While the South African government has stated it is stepping up official law enforcement against undocumented immigration, it has repeatedly urged local citizens not to take matters into their own hands as West African nations move rapidly to secure their people.

The post Nigeria to Airlift 1,000+ Nationals as South Africa Anti-Immigrant Crisis Deepens appeared first on Business Today NG.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, conveyed this position on Monday during a meeting in Abuja where the Acting South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Lesoli Machele, was formally summoned.

This was disclosed in a statement issued the same day by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.

According to the ministry, recent events—particularly videos circulating online depicting aggression and hostility toward foreigners—are deeply troubling and could strain the longstanding diplomatic relationship between both nations.

The government confirmed that two Nigerian citizens, Nnaemeka Matthew Andrew Ekpeyong and Kelvin Chidiebere Amaramiro, lost their lives in separate incidents involving South African law enforcement agencies.

Mr. Ekpeyong reportedly passed away on April 21, 2026, while under detention by the Tshwane Metro Police Department, while Mr. Amaramiro died on April 25, 2026, at Livingstone Hospital in the Eastern Cape following allegations of physical assault.

The Federal Government expressed serious reservations about the conduct of security operatives and called for full accountability.

It demanded comprehensive, open, and unbiased investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, along with prompt release of autopsy findings and all relevant records.

Nigeria also insisted that the families of the deceased must be granted unrestricted access to judicial procedures.

While acknowledging remarks from South African authorities condemning attacks on foreign nationals, the Nigerian government stressed that such statements must be backed by concrete and verifiable action.

It further urged South Africa to take preventive measures against intimidation and incitement directed at foreigners, especially Africans, and to guarantee the protection and dignity of Nigerians lawfully residing there.

On domestic developments, the government referenced a recent protest by some Nigerians in Abuja but appealed for restraint, cautioning against unlawful actions.

It also noted ongoing diplomatic discussions, including a phone call between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and her South African counterpart, during which both parties agreed to pursue lasting solutions.

The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed Nigeria’s obligation to safeguard foreign diplomatic missions and personnel within its borders in line with international agreements.

In her reaction, Ms. Machele assured that Nigeria’s concerns would be communicated to Pretoria, adding that the demonstrations were not sanctioned by the South African government.

She also pledged continued efforts to address the issues raised and to preserve peaceful relations between both countries.

The post Nigeria Seeks Justice Over Deaths of Citizens in South African Custody appeared first on Business Today NG.