ABUJA, Nigeria — The federal government of Nigeria is demanding compensation from South Africa to cover the substantial financial and operational losses incurred by its citizens caught in recent waves of unrest. As diplomatic friction escalates over the safety of expatriates, authorities in Abuja are simultaneously managing a complex, multi-flight repatriation operation to bring hundreds of stranded nationals back home.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, detailed the ongoing efforts to protect citizens abroad. He noted that the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg have been actively distributing critical safety updates to keep nationals away from protest hotspots. Consequently, numerous Nigerian entrepreneurs have been forced to shutter their storefronts and abandon their primary sources of income to avoid direct clashes with demonstrators.
To address these economic damages, the diplomatic missions are currently compiling comprehensive dossiers on the affected enterprises. Ebienfa explained that this documentation process is designed to create a verifiable evidence base, capturing details of the businesses left behind and proof of tax contributions to the South African treasury. Once this data is fully collated and cross-checked with relevant Pretoria officials, the Nigerian government will formally initiate compensation negotiations.
A critical caveat to this financial restitution is the legal standing of the claimants. Ebienfa stressed that the compensation drive is strictly reserved for Nigerians who possess lawful residency and operate legitimate businesses in South Africa. “Someone that has been living illegally cannot press for compensation,” he stated, aligning with standard international norms.
He further clarified the demographics of those currently departing the country, categorizing them into two distinct groups. The first comprises undocumented migrants who have been granted special waivers by South African authorities to facilitate their exit. The second consists of legally residing professionals and business owners who are fleeing purely out of safety concerns. Ebienfa pushed back against the narrative that all departing Nigerians are undocumented, citing shared data from South African agencies to support his position.
While advocating for the continental vision of free movement for goods and services, the Nigerian government insists that cross-border migration must follow established legal frameworks. More importantly, Ebienfa strongly condemned the rise of civilian vigilantes conducting illegal street stops. He argued that private citizens in cities like Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban have no legal authority to demand identification from pedestrians. “It should not be the responsibility of private individuals to be asking for documents,” he asserted, emphasizing that immigration enforcement is the exclusive mandate of trained, state-recognized law enforcement agencies.
Addressing domestic pressures, Ebienfa acknowledged that some civic groups within Nigeria have been agitating for retaliatory picketing against South African corporate interests operating locally. However, the federal government is actively engaging these factions to quell any unrest. Ebienfa confirmed that, to date, there have been no coordinated protests targeting South African enterprises on Nigerian soil. Reaffirming Nigeria’s historical identity as the “giant of Africa,” he assured that foreign investors remain secure and can conduct their operations without harassment, emphasizing the country’s commitment to continental unity.
On the ground, the repatriation exercise is progressing steadily, though it has faced public scrutiny over its speed. Ebienfa revealed that 593 Nigerians have already been successfully flown back to Lagos. A subsequent flight departing Johannesburg is slated to land with an additional 271 passengers. Furthermore, arrangements are underway for multiple flights over the next two days to transport over 700 additional individuals who have already cleared South African exit protocols.
Responding to social media criticism regarding the slow pace of the evacuations, the spokesperson explained the logistical bottlenecks. The South African Department of Home Affairs is processing and releasing the names of cleared passengers in batches, dictating a “one flight at a time” approach. Furthermore, mission officials are deliberately avoiding mass call-ups to prevent dangerous overcrowding at their facilities amidst the volatile security climate.
Despite the mass withdrawal of its citizens, Ebienfa was quick to clarify that this is not a diplomatic rupture. He maintained that active, robust diplomatic channels remain fully operational between the two regional powerhouses. “Because we are evacuating our nationals does not mean that we are severing diplomatic ties with South Africa,” he concluded, expressing confidence that both governments will continue to dialogue and resolve their bilateral concerns amicably.