FG seeks compensation for Nigerians returning from South Africa

The Federal Government says it will seek compensation for Nigerians forced to abandon businesses and other valuable assets while fleeing renewed anti-immigrant tensions in South Africa.

Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, disclosed that the government has begun documenting businesses, vehicles and other movable and immovable properties left behind by returning Nigerians as part of efforts to press compensation claims with South African authorities.

According to him, the exercise goes beyond evacuating citizens, stressing that the Federal Government is committed to ensuring affected Nigerians do not lose investments built over several years.

Ajayi also dismissed claims that most Nigerians in South Africa are undocumented, explaining that many entered the country legally but became caught in prolonged delays in the renewal of immigration documents by South Africa’s Home Affairs department.

His comments come as another batch of Nigerians is expected to arrive in Lagos under the Federal Government’s ongoing voluntary evacuation programme, launched ahead of planned anti-immigrant demonstrations in South Africa.