More than 130 Nigerians have registered for voluntary repatriation from South Africa due to economic hardship, health challenges and documentation difficulties.
Frank Onyekwelu, president of the Nigerian community in South Africa, disclosed this during Channels Television’s Morning Brief programme on Thursday.
The registrations follow renewed xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa and the federal government’s announcement on Sunday that it would commence voluntary repatriation for affected Nigerians.
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, minister of foreign affairs, said President Bola Tinubu had directed that evacuation flights be provided for those willing to return home. She added that arrangements were underway to collate details of affected citizens.
Onyekwu said the number of registrants had exceeded 130 as many Nigerians continue to face economic hardship and health concerns.
“As we speak now, the numbers have increased more than 130. We have other Nigerian citizens that have also applied for such voluntary and free repatriation,” he said. “Some of them have issues with the economy, economic hardship. They are struggling to survive.”
He noted that documentation challenges are also driving the decision to return, with many Nigerians experiencing delays in renewing residence permits or obtaining work permits.
“Due to the documentation process and the delays and the challenges in terms of requirements that you have to provide as a foreign national, it becomes a bit challenging for them to provide such records or such requests,” Onyekwelu said.
“So, at this point, many of them have considered their best option is to go back home. Some have worked for two or three years and currently there is no more job or business or resources has finished, and they are now deciding that it is better for them to go back home, find another source of livelihood and then start up life again, which is considerably easier.”
Onyekwelu said some returnees believe reintegration in Nigeria may be more sustainable than their current situation in South Africa.
“They believe they will not be dealing with rentals, maybe if they are staying in their family home, and they will be able to concentrate, maybe continue with one or two agricultural farming products to sustain livelihood,” he said.
Rising medical costs are also contributing to the decision. Onyekwelu said some Nigerians facing health challenges can no longer access free treatment at public hospitals as foreign nationals.
“In some hospitals, you are now meant to pay or consult a private hospital, and some of them now consider that it will be easier and even much cheaper for them to attend health clinics in Nigeria or attend the medical facilities in Nigeria where they might afford the payment,” he said.
The minister of foreign affairs said the number of registrants is expected to rise as Nigerian associations in South Africa continue to support the registration process.
