President of the Nigeria Union South Africa, Smart Nwobi, has revealed that no fewer than 1,000 Nigerians living in South Africa have indicated interest to voluntarily return home.
He told Saturday on Friday that the voluntary repatriation process was being coordinated through the South African authorities, with many Nigerians opting to return after becoming stranded or unable to regularise their immigration status.
According to him, many of those seeking to leave South Africa had unsuccessfully applied for work permits, business permits and other residency documents, leaving them vulnerable under the country’s immigration laws.
“It is understood that the process for voluntary return has been taking place through the relevant South African authorities. So far, over 1,000 Nigerians have expressed interest in returning home,” he said.
Nwobi said some Nigerians had considered returning home even before recent concerns over xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiments in parts of the country.
He explained that many affected Nigerians had lived in South Africa for years but found themselves unable to secure the documents required to remain legally in the country.
“Some of these people wanted to return home even before the recent xenophobic concerns. But many were afraid of what could happen when they tried to leave the country.
“These people felt unsafe and stranded. At a point, we called on the Nigerian government because some Nigerians were stranded and unable to obtain the necessary documents. Some applied for work permits and were unsuccessful, while others applied for business permits and were also denied,” the union leader said.
He noted that South Africa’s strict immigration laws made it difficult for migrants who overstay their visas or whose asylum applications had been rejected.
“South Africa has proper immigration laws. Once you overstay your visa or your asylum application is rejected, you become an illegal immigrant,” Nwobi stated.
He explained that undocumented migrants often face legal risks when attempting to leave through official channels.
“What most South Africans do not know is that when a failed asylum seeker or someone with an expired visa gets to the airport, such a person can be arrested for contravening the Immigration Act, particularly for remaining in the country unlawfully,” Nwobi added.
He called for greater collaboration between Nigerian and South African authorities to facilitate the safe and orderly return of Nigerians willing to leave the country.
“Many of those seeking voluntary repatriation are not criminals but individuals whose immigration applications were unsuccessful and who now wish to rebuild their lives in Nigeria,” Nwobi said.
He also urged the Federal Government to put in place support mechanisms for returnees, noting that many would require assistance to reintegrate after years of living abroad.