Xenophobia: All Nigerians can’t leave S’Africa – Union

The Nigerian Union in South Africa has clarified that not all Nigerians living in the country can be forced to leave amid recent anti-immigration protests and attacks on foreign-owned businesses. In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, NUSA President-General Smart Nwobi emphasized that many Nigerians have lived in South Africa for decades, some even before apartheid, and established families and businesses there.

He stressed that the xenophobic protests should not be viewed as affecting Nigerians alone, as migrants from across Africa are impacted. Nwobi highlighted that it is not feasible for all Nigerians to leave, as some have resided in South Africa for decades, raised children, and built their livelihoods there. The unrest followed public anger over a Constitutional Court ruling that removed procedural barriers for certain irregular migrants to apply for asylum.

South African authorities noted that the ruling does not automatically grant refugee status or permanent residence but allows affected individuals to have their claims assessed. The government acknowledged that refugee reception offices were overwhelmed by the number of applications. Nwobi mentioned that evacuation efforts were underway, with flights carrying around 150 Nigerians, but admitted that the number seeking to leave remains far below the total Nigerian population in the country.

As of July 15, 2026, around 2,500 Nigerians had left South Africa, with the Federal Government reporting 1,490 evacuees under its official program.