Nigerian Richard Itoro, among tens of thousands who have left South Africa in recent months, chose to return to Nigeria fearing for his safety amid escalating anti-immigrant protests. The 47-year-old left behind his family and business in Johannesburg, boarding a voluntary repatriation flight in June 2026. Itoro tearfully reflected on leaving his South African wife and twin children behind, saying, "It was painful for me to leave [the] person who's my best friend."

The protests, led by anti-migrant groups in South Africa, have targeted undocumented foreigners, though Nigerians with legitimate papers have also been attacked. Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, stated during a meeting with South Africa's Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola, "We have records of Nigerians who have legitimate papers to remain in South Africa, yet they have been attacked."

Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa criticized the violence as contrary to the spirit of continental solidarity and a failure to acknowledge African countries' support during the apartheid struggle that ended in 1994. The mass departures and attacks have heightened diplomatic tensions and threaten to damage relations between South Africa and other African nations.

Itoro expressed the difficult choice he faced: "If I go home and start all over again, it's better than being here, being harassed, being scared for my life." He also lamented, "I wish I could have just begged the people from the embassy and said: 'This is my wife, I can't leave her behind and my kids,' but I couldn't."

The situation underscores growing concerns over public safety and migrant rights in South Africa, as well as the broader implications for African unity and cooperation.

Sources