Nigeria To Seek Compensation From South Africa For Property Left Behind By Repatriated Citizens

Nigeria says it plans to pursue compensation from South Africa for property and businesses abandoned by its citizens who recently left the country following protests aimed at undocumented migrants.

The matter is expected to be addressed through diplomatic engagements between the two nations. Nigerian authorities say they are documenting claims before submitting a formal request.

Nigeria To Document Property Losses Before Compensation Talks

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that officials are compiling records of assets left behind by citizens who departed South Africa during the recent unrest.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa told the BBC that the issue would be discussed between the two governments “at the highest levels”.

Abuja’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, also revealed during a television interview that authorities had started recording details of businesses, vehicles and other movable and immovable property abandoned by Nigerians.

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Ebienfa said all claims would first be verified before Nigeria formally approaches South Africa.

“We have not severed ties with South Africa, we are still engaging them at the highest level, we will sort those details using our usual diplomatic channels,” he said.

Hundreds Of Nigerians Leave South Africa Following Protests

The compensation discussions follow weeks of protests calling on the South African government to clamp down on illegal immigration. Some anti-migrant groups had set 30 June as the deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country, with marches taking place in several areas.

While most demonstrations remained peaceful, there were isolated incidents of violence involving foreign nationals. South African police said around 900 people were arrested, mainly for immigration-related offences and looting.

According to reports, more than 25,000 foreign nationals from various African countries have left South Africa during the recent wave of protests. More than 600 Nigerians have already been repatriated, while hundreds more remain in South Africa awaiting evacuation.

South African authorities maintain that those repatriated were in the country illegally, a position disputed by the Nigerian government.

Trader Says Fear Forced Him To Leave Everything Behind

Among those preparing to return home is 32-year-old trader Oghodero Erejor Wilson, who said he spent nearly 10 years living in South Africa before deciding to leave because he feared for his safety.

“I left everything in my house including clothes.”

Wilson said he was losing “everything because of fear”.

The trader, who operated a clothing business in Centurion, Gauteng, said he closed his shop and relocated near the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria while waiting for a repatriation flight scheduled for Friday.

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He estimated that stock worth more than R16,000 remained inside his business premises. Wilson also acknowledged that his residency documents had expired in 2021 and had not been renewed.

Despite Nigeria’s plans to seek compensation, he admitted he was not optimistic about receiving any payment.

“If South Africa government can compensate it, it will be nice, but I know they won’t,” he said.

SurgeZirc SA has approached the South African government for comment on Nigeria’s proposed compensation request.