By Stephen Simon
Many Nigerians who recently returned from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks say they are struggling to rebuild their lives, citing unemployment, financial hardship and inadequate support to aid their reintegration.
Several of the returnees, who spoke during an engagement with government officials and humanitarian organisations in Lagos, said they were forced to abandon businesses, jobs and personal belongings before returning home for safety.
They appealed to the Federal Government and relevant agencies to provide skills acquisition programmes, financial assistance and employment opportunities to help them become self-reliant.
According to the returnees, while they were grateful to be back in Nigeria, adjusting to life at home has been difficult because many arrived with little or no savings after losing their sources of livelihood during the attacks. They expressed hope that targeted intervention programmes would enable them to start afresh.
Officials involved in the reintegration process acknowledged the challenges facing the returnees and said efforts were being made to connect them with existing government empowerment initiatives and vocational training schemes.
The latest appeals have renewed calls for stronger diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and South Africa to address recurring attacks on foreign nationals, while stakeholders continue to urge better protection for migrants and more effective reintegration support for those who choose to return home.
