397 Nigerians Fleeing South Africa – 5 Hard Truths About Xenophobia And Return

The news says: A total of 397 Nigerians are currently undergoing screening to leave South Africa amid xenophobic tensions and anti-foreigner campaigns. The exercise, supervised by South African authorities, began on Thursday and is expected to end on Sunday. Over 600 Nigerians applied to return, but only 397 were cleared for the first evacuation flight.

Who are the people involved in this repatriation exercise?

The Nigerians seeking to leave: over 600 applicants, with 397 cleared for the first flight. The Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (led by President Reverend Frank Onyekwelu). The South African authorities: South African Police Service (SAPS), Department of Home Affairs, Department of International Relations and Cooperation. The Nigerian diplomatic mission: Nigerian Consulate and High Commission in South Africa, working with the Federal Government.

Where is this happening?

The screening is taking place in South Africa. The anti-foreigner protests and campaigns have occurred in multiple South African cities: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. In Durban, authorities moved foreign nationals to screening centres for documentation verification.

What is causing Nigerians to leave South Africa?

Xenophobic tensions and anti-foreigner campaigns. There have been anti-foreigner protests in several South African cities since early 2026. In KwaZulu-Natal, there were threats demanding that foreigners leave by June 30. Many Nigerians have lost their jobs, livelihoods, or valid immigration documents. Some have become undocumented migrants because their permits were not renewed.

When is this happening?

The screening began on Thursday, June 4, 2026, and is expected to end on Sunday, June 7, 2026. The news was published on June 6, 2026. The date for the first evacuation flight has not yet been fixed.

Why are only 397 cleared out of over 600 applicants?

The screening ensures that those returning do not have criminal cases pending in South Africa. Some applicants may have pending legal matters. Others may have incomplete documentation. The process is designed to prevent fugitives from escaping justice by leaving the country.

How does the screening process work?

The South African Police Service, Department of Home Affairs, and Department of International Relations and Cooperation supervise the exercise. They verify immigration status, check for pending criminal cases, and ensure that returnees are leaving voluntarily – not being deported.

5 hard truths about Nigerians fleeing xenophobia in South Africa.

1. Over 600 Nigerians applied to leave – but only 397 made the first cut. That means more than 200 Nigerians were deemed ineligible for the first evacuation flight. Some may have criminal cases pending. Others may have documentation issues. But the number itself is staggering. Over 600 Nigerians want to leave South Africa because they no longer feel safe or able to survive. That is not a few isolated cases. That is a mass exodus.

2. Many are leaving because they have lost jobs, livelihoods, or legal status. The president of the Nigerian Citizens Association said many of those opting to return “had lost their jobs, livelihoods, or valid immigration documents.” Some became undocumented because their permits were not renewed. Xenophobia does not just cause physical violence. It destroys livelihoods. It makes it impossible to work, to rent, to live. For many, leaving is not a choice. It is the only option.

3. Threats in KwaZulu-Natal demanded foreigners leave by June 30. That is a specific deadline. Organised groups in KwaZulu-Natal gave foreigners an ultimatum: leave by June 30, 2026. That is state-sponsored or state-tolerated intimidation. No one should be forced to flee their home because of threats. But that is exactly what is happening. The South African government has not stopped these threats or protected foreign nationals.

4. The Nigerian government is facilitating evacuation – but not protecting citizens in South Africa. The Nigerian Consulate and High Commission are working with the Federal Government to finalise arrangements for the evacuation. That is good. But where is the diplomatic pressure on South Africa? Where are the protests? Where are the sanctions threats? The Nigerian government is helping Nigerians leave – but not fighting for their right to stay safely.

5. The screening is done by South African authorities – not Nigeria. The South African Police Service, Home Affairs, and International Relations department are running the screening. They decide who can leave. They check for criminal cases. That is standard procedure. But it also means that Nigerians with genuine cases – including victims of xenophobic violence – could be held back if South Africa decides to label them as criminals. The process is not fully under Nigerian control.

How this affects Nigerians.

i. It highlights the persistent danger of xenophobia in South Africa for Nigerian immigrants. Xenophobic attacks are not new. They have happened repeatedly over the past decade. But they continue. Nigerians in South Africa are still being targeted. The fact that 600+ applied to leave shows that the situation is not improving. It may be worsening. Nigerians considering moving to South Africa for work or study must weigh this risk seriously.

ii. It puts pressure on the Nigerian government to provide reintegration support for returnees. 397 Nigerians will soon arrive home. Many have lost jobs, savings, and legal status. They will need support: temporary housing, job placement, counselling, and help with documentation. The government cannot just bring them back and abandon them. A reintegration plan must be in place.

iii. It raises questions about the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts between Nigeria and South Africa. Nigeria and South Africa are Africa’s two largest economies. They have diplomatic relations, trade agreements, and cultural exchanges. Yet Nigerian citizens in South Africa are still being threatened and forced to leave. What is the Nigerian government doing diplomatically? The public needs to know. If diplomacy is failing, the government should try other approaches.

iv. It could lead to a brain drain and loss of skilled Nigerians in South Africa. Many Nigerians in South Africa are professionals – doctors, engineers, academics, business owners. If they are forced to leave, South Africa loses their skills. But Nigeria gains them back. That could be a silver lining: returning professionals could contribute to Nigeria’s development. But only if the government creates an environment where they can thrive.

v. It shows the importance of diaspora organisations like the Nigerian Citizens Association. Reverend Frank Onyekwelu and his association are providing critical information and coordination. They know who is applying. They know the challenges. They are the bridge between returnees and the government. Diaspora organisations are essential during crises. The government should support them with funding and logistical help.

Advice from this analyst.

1. To the Federal Government and Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM): prepare for the arrival of 397 returnees. Establish a reception centre at the airport. Provide temporary accommodation, counselling, and job placement services. Also, document their stories – including evidence of xenophobic attacks – for potential diplomatic or legal action against South Africa.

2. To the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: summon the South African High Commissioner. Demand an explanation for the threats and the conditions that forced over 600 Nigerians to apply to leave. Also, consider economic or diplomatic measures if South Africa does not protect Nigerian citizens. Silence is complicity.

3. To the African Union (AU): xenophobia in South Africa is a continental problem. The AU must intervene. South Africa cannot be allowed to mistreat fellow Africans without consequences. The AU should establish a monitoring mechanism and publish regular reports on xenophobic violence.

4. To Nigerians still in South Africa: assess your situation carefully. If you have valid documents and a safe job, staying may be an option. But have a contingency plan. Keep your documents updated. Maintain connections with the Nigerian Citizens Association. Register with the Nigerian High Commission. Do not wait until a crisis to prepare.

5. To Nigerians considering moving to South Africa: research thoroughly. Xenophobia is real. It is not just news headlines. Talk to Nigerians already there. Understand the risks. Have a backup plan. South Africa offers opportunities – but also dangers. Go with your eyes open.

Rhetorical question for you.

If over 600 Nigerians – many of whom built lives, businesses, and careers in South Africa – are desperate enough to apply to leave, and only 397 are cleared for the first evacuation flight, what does that say about the failure of both the South African government to protect foreigners and the Nigerian government to secure the safety of its citizens abroad?

It says that both governments have failed. South Africa has failed to stop xenophobic violence and threats. Nigeria has failed to use diplomatic, economic, or legal pressure to protect its citizens. The returnees are the victims of that double failure. They are leaving not because they want to – but because they have no other choice. The Nigerian government should welcome them home. But it should also be asking: why did it come to this? And what will it do to prevent the next wave of returnees?

Akahi News reports that 397 Nigerians are packing their bags in South Africa. They are leaving behind jobs, homes, and dreams. They are fleeing threats, xenophobia, and a country that no longer wants them. The screening is almost complete. The flight date is being set. Soon, they will land in Nigeria – not as triumphant returnees, but as refugees from xenophobia. The government must be ready to receive them. Not just with a press conference. But with housing, jobs, and dignity. They left Nigeria seeking a better life. They found danger instead. Now they are home. Let them find safety at last.