FG to Seek Compensation for Nigerian Businesses Abandoned in South Africa

Nigeria plans to hold South Africa accountable for properties and businesses abandoned by citizens who came back home due to growing anti-foreigner pressure.

Alexander Ajayi, Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, made this known during a Channels Television interview. He said the government has begun compiling a full list of shops, vehicles, and other assets that returnees left behind, with the aim of presenting it to Pretoria for compensation.

The development follows fresh anti-immigration demonstrations in South Africa, where some groups argue that foreigners are occupying jobs meant for locals. At the same time, civil society organizations set June 30 as the cut-off date for undocumented migrants to exit the country.

Ajayi said the diplomatic process has already started. “I was with South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs just three days ago, and we raised this issue,” he said. “We reached an understanding that those returning must record what they are leaving behind.”

He stated that Nigerians who departed on Monday received instructions to capture details of their assets. “Before they left yesterday, I asked them to document, in detail, their businesses, cars, and all movable and fixed property,” the envoy explained.

According to him, the data will form the foundation for talks with South African authorities. “Evacuation is only one part of it. The next step is to use the records we collect and take it up with the South African government,” Ajayi added.

He called on returnees to be thorough. “We will partner with South African officials to verify the locations of these businesses, shops, and homes, and forward them for compensation. We cannot allow years of Nigerian effort to be wasted or seized by others,” he said.

Ajayi noted that the evacuees left on their own accord before the planned protests. He also said a significant number of Nigerians in South Africa are without legal papers.

The latest group arrived at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Tuesday. They join 258 Nigerians who returned on June 11 and 66 others who came back on June 24, all under the Federal Government’s voluntary1 repatriation effort.

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