The Federal Government has announced plans to engage the South African government over compensation for Nigerians who were forced to abandon their businesses and properties while fleeing recurring anti-immigrant violence in the country.
The Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, disclosed this during a television interview as another batch of Nigerians prepared to return home under the Federal Government’s voluntary evacuation programme.
Ajayi explained that those currently being repatriated are Nigerians who voluntarily chose to leave South Africa ahead of the latest planned anti-immigrant protests.
He said the Federal Government has begun documenting businesses, vehicles and other properties left behind by the returnees as part of efforts to pursue compensation through diplomatic channels.
According to him, Nigerian authorities have already opened discussions with South African officials on the matter.
“In terms of the businesses, just three days ago, myself and the South African Deputy Minister of Finance were together and we were discussing this.
“I took up the discussion with her and we have agreed that we are going to ask our people who are returning to begin to document what they are leaving behind, and that was the message before this set due to land.
“I have asked them to document very accurately those things they were leaving behind in terms of businesses, cars, and movable or immovable properties. We can now take it up with the South African government. That is the next step we are going to take,” Ajayi said.
He stressed that the government’s intervention goes beyond evacuating affected Nigerians, noting that efforts are now focused on ensuring citizens who suffered losses receive appropriate compensation for their abandoned investments and properties.
The latest move comes amid renewed concerns over the safety of foreign nationals in South Africa following recurring anti-immigrant protests that have affected businesses and livelihoods in recent years.
