More Nigerians seek to leave S’Africa – Union leader

A significant number of Nigerians residing in South Africa are seeking to return home voluntarily, with over 1,000 individuals expressing interest in repatriation. Smart Nwobi, President of the Nigeria Union South Africa, revealed that the process is being coordinated with South African authorities.

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It is understood that the process for voluntary return has been taking place through the relevant South African authorities. So far, over 1,000 Nigerians have expressed interest in returning home.

Many Nigerians are opting to leave after facing prolonged difficulties in regularizing their immigration status. Applications for work permits, business permits, and other residency documents have frequently been unsuccessful, leaving them in a precarious legal position within South Africa. Some individuals had considered returning even before recent concerns over xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiments intensified.

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Some of these people wanted to return home even before the recent xenophobic concerns. But many were afraid of what could happen when they tried to leave the country.

Nwobi explained that these Nigerians have often lived in South Africa for years but found themselves unable to secure the necessary legal documentation. The strict immigration laws mean that overstaying a visa or having an asylum application rejected can lead to an individual becoming an illegal immigrant, facing potential arrest even when attempting to leave through official channels.

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South Africa has proper immigration laws. Once you overstay your visa or your asylum application is rejected, you become an illegal immigrant.

The union leader emphasized that many of those seeking to return are not criminals but individuals whose immigration applications were denied. He called for enhanced collaboration between the Nigerian and South African governments to ensure the safe and orderly return of these individuals. Furthermore, Nwobi urged the Nigerian Federal Government to establish support mechanisms to aid the reintegration of these returnees after their extended stays abroad.

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Many of those seeking voluntary repatriation are not criminals but individuals whose immigration applications were unsuccessful and who now wish to rebuild their lives in Nigeria.