Xenophobia: Nigerians flee South Africa, leave children behind

Some Nigerians forced to flee South Africa following recurring xenophobic attacks have left behind children born to South African mothers, a Nigerian resident in Johannesburg has disclosed.

Mr Francis Akpan, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State who resides in Johannesburg, said the situation has become one of the most painful consequences of the attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals.

Speaking with DAILY POST in a telephone interview, Akpan said he had not been directly affected by the attacks but would have returned to Nigeria if he had the financial means, despite not completing his education.

According to him, many Nigerian men who fathered children with South African women have been unable to return home with their children.

“The saddest part of this forced return to Nigeria is that many of our men leave their children behind. In most cases, they lack the financial resources to take them along, while in other instances, the children’s mothers refuse to allow them to leave South Africa with their fathers,” he said.

Akpan cited the case of a Nigerian from Rivers State, identified as Samuel Finecountry, who reportedly returned home without any of his five grown children.

He also mentioned another man from Cross River State who plans to relocate to Nigeria in August 2026 but will leave behind his three children.

He further referred to South African international footballer Ime Okon, whose late father hailed from Akwa Ibom State. According to Akpan, the player had previously stated that he identifies solely as South African because he was born and raised there and has never visited Nigeria.

Akpan said many children of Nigerian fathers who were born and raised in South Africa have little connection to Nigeria and are unlikely to relocate to the country on their own.

He added that the number of such children has continued to grow over the years.

On the security situation, Akpan said the wave of xenophobic attacks has eased following pressure from the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), Ghana, and other African countries.

He also claimed that the South African government had begun sending emissaries to some African countries to apologise, particularly as the country’s economy had been affected by the departure of businesses and the closure of enterprises owned by Nigerians and other foreign nationals.

However, DAILY POST could not independently verify this claim.