Hundreds of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa after anti-migrant protests and reported attacks on some foreign nationals are struggling to restart their lives in Nigeria, according to multiple outlets. After return flights landed in Lagos, returnees describe an initial sense of relief that quickly turns to uncertainty about employment, savings, housing, and long-term stability. Several reports highlight that some migrants had lived in South Africa for years, including people who entered on short-term visas and later overstayed. In one case described by The Associated Press and carried by Korea Times, a man who worked as a car mechanic says he was attacked by anti-immigrant protesters and suffered injuries. The repatriations are described as linked to a rise in anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa in recent months, including marches calling for immigrants there illegally to leave. Back in Nigeria, returnees say they face challenges re-entering the economy they left, with many needing money and work despite interruptions to their livelihoods during their time abroad and after their return.
Nigerian returnees from South Africa struggle to resettle amid economic pressures
Hundreds of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa after anti-migrant protests and reported attacks on some foreign nationals are struggling to restart their lives in Nigeria, according to multiple o...
- Hundreds of Nigerians are repatriated from South Africa and arrive in Nigeria, including in Lagos.
- The return is linked to recent anti-migrant marches and reports of violence against some foreign nationals in South Africa.
- Some returnees had overstayed visas and had built livelihoods abroad, including work as mechanics.
- Returnees report difficulty settling back in Nigeria, citing economic pressures such as employment and financial insecurity.
- One returnee described being attacked by anti-immigrant protesters in South Africa and suffering injuries.
LAGOS, Nigeria — When the flight carrying hundreds of Nigerians fleeing South Africa landed in Lagos last week, the first feeling of passenger Iniebong James was one of relief. Then came worry. Nearly two weeks after his return to his homeland, James, 52, is trying to settle back into the life he left 10 years ago when he packed his suitcases and headed for South Africa on a six-month visitor’s visa. He overstayed his visa and, despite lacking permission to stay, built a life as a car mechanic in the country's Eastern Cape Province. He was coping until he was attacked by anti-immigrant protesters in May, leaving him with a head wound, he told The Associated Press. The attack on James came in the midst of a sharp rise in anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa in recent months, when there have been marches calling for immigrants in the country illegally to leave and reports of violence against some foreign nationals. Hundreds of migrants from Nigeria and several other African countries have been repatriated from South Africa recently by their governments, citing threats of violence aga
20 hours agoNigerians repatriated from South Africa following a series of anti-migrant marches and reported attacks on some foreign nationals are struggling to settle into a new life back home
1 day agoNigerians repatriated from South Africa following a series of anti-migrant marches and reported attacks on some foreign nationals are struggling to settle into a new life back home
1 day agoWhen the flight carrying hundreds of Nigerians fleeing South Africa landed in Lagos last week, the first feeling of passenger Iniebong James was one of relief. Then came worry.
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