Nigerians Return Home After Arriving From South Africa, “There’s No Place Like Home”

For many African migrants in South Africa, daily life had become so punishing that returning home felt like the only viable option — a reality underscored by one of the returnees who thanked the Nigerian government and the individuals who helped make the journey back possible.

The returnee said conditions in South Africa had grown unbearable for many African migrants, prompting appreciation for those who facilitated their return to Nigeria.

Responding to questions about the legal status of Nigerians living in South Africa, another returnee acknowledged that a substantial number of migrants do not have valid documentation. However, the returnee argued that bureaucratic hurdles often make it difficult for foreigners to regularize their status, even when they attempt to do so.