Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has opened an online registration portal for Nigerians who wish to voluntarily return home, as Federal Government prepares for a possible second repatriation exercise.
Gatekeepers News reports that the development follows renewed xenophobic attacks in the country. The mission is also seeking support from partners to fund the return of affected citizens.
In a memo issued by the High Commission, the registration portal will remain open until August 12, although officials clarified that completing the online form does not automatically guarantee a seat on a repatriation flight.
The latest initiative comes weeks after the Federal Government evacuated 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa in seven batches, with five flights funded by the government and two arranged through emergency support.
The Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, said the mission is compiling data on Nigerians interested in returning while engaging organisations and other partners willing to sponsor return tickets.
He explained that more citizens expressed interest in returning after the initial evacuation exercise ended, making a second repatriation effort necessary. Ajayi added that the mission is adopting a “whole-of-society approach” to support Nigerians who still wish to return home.
The renewed exercise follows reports of continued attacks on Nigerians in South Africa despite the earlier evacuation. The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg recently confirmed the death of a Nigerian during a police operation in Cape Town, while another citizen sustained gunshot injuries.
Nigeria has continued to condemn the attacks and, alongside Ghana, is pushing for “Afrophobia” to be included on the agenda of the next African Union summit.
