In brief
Nigeria has announced it will demand compensation from South Africa for property and businesses abandoned by its citizens amid recent anti‑migrant protests. Acting High Commissioner Alexander Ajayi has cited documentation of thousands of abandoned businesses and vehicles. Nigerian trader Oghodero Wilson, who fled after fearing for his safety, estimates his losses at over 16,000 rand. The Nigerian government reports that more than 600 citizens have already been repatriated and claims will be verified before formal requests are made.
The Nigerian government has confirmed it will pursue compensation from South Africa for homes and businesses abandoned by Nigerians during the recent wave of anti‑migrant protests.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said the issue would be discussed at the highest diplomatic levels between the two countries. Acting High Commissioner Alexander Ajayi told South African TV that undocumented Nigerians began documenting businesses, vehicles and other property they left behind.
Oghodero Erejor Wilson, 32, fled his clothing shop in Centurion after fearing for his safety. He left his shop and home empty and estimates the goods abandoned there are worth over 16,000 rand (about £735). Wilson said residency documents had expired in 2021, preventing him from renewing them.
More than 600 Nigerians have been repatriated recently, according to Nigerian officials, and the South African government disputes that those flown home were in the country illegally. The migration crisis escalated after over 25,000 nationals of other African countries fled South Africa following protest marches demanding stricter immigration controls.
The protests, largely peaceful, was met with increased police presence and resulted in around 900 arrests for immigration‑related offences and looting. Nigeria’s claims will be verified before any formal compensation request is made.
