Xenophobia: 1,695 Nigerians Evacuated from South Africa, Says Ambassador Ajayi Alexander

Nigeria has evacuated 1,695 of its citizens from South Africa in 2026 amid renewed xenophobic threats, with the country’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Ajayi Alexander, saying the mission is preparing for more voluntary repatriations as anti-immigrant tensions continue to rise.

Alexander disclosed the figures during an engagement with fellows of the MTN Media Innovation Programme in Pretoria, revealing that 1,490 Nigerians returned through government-funded evacuation arrangements, while 205 others received support from private individuals and organizations. The evacuations, he stressed, were entirely voluntary.

According to the envoy, the Federal Government sponsored five repatriation flights carrying hundreds of Nigerians, while the High Commission also facilitated additional one-way tickets for citizens who chose to leave South Africa. He noted that some registered returnees eventually decided not to board the flights, underscoring the voluntary nature of the exercise.

Alexander said many of those returning were not undocumented migrants, contrary to widespread perceptions. He explained that several owned businesses and property in South Africa, while others were legal residents whose immigration documents became entangled in prolonged delays in the country’s permit renewal system.

The Acting High Commissioner also warned that the Nigerian mission is taking fresh threats from anti-immigrant groups seriously. He said some groups have issued ultimatums demanding that foreigners leave parts of South Africa before the end of September, prompting the embassy to intensify efforts to protect Nigerians and assist those wishing to return home. Punch Newspapers

“We are not taking that threat lightly,” Alexander said, adding that the mission’s priority is to ensure Nigerians are not exposed to violence. He appealed to religious organizations, businesses and private donors to support future evacuation efforts, revealing that the Redeemed Christian Church of God has already offered to sponsor the return of another 500 Nigerians.

Despite the security concerns, Alexander maintained that diplomatic relations between Abuja and Pretoria remain cordial. He said both governments have agreed to strengthen cooperation through measures including the prosecution of offenders, preventive mechanisms, respect for the rule of law and possible compensation for Nigerians forced to abandon businesses and property during xenophobic attacks.

One key initiative, however, remains stalled. Alexander disclosed that a proposed early-warning mechanism under a Nigeria–South Africa memorandum of understanding has been under negotiation for six to seven years. Although both countries have completed their respective processes, the agreement has yet to become operational, limiting efforts to respond proactively to emerging threats.

The latest evacuation figures highlight the enduring human cost of xenophobia in South Africa. While voluntary repatriation has offered thousands of Nigerians a path to safety, the broader challenge remains ensuring that African migrants can live, work and do business across the continent without fear of violence or discrimination.