XENOPHOBIA: “Nigeria Will Not Pay a Cent” – Onoh Rejects South Africa’s $18.5 Million Repatriation Bill
Denge Josef Onoh, Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly and former Southeast spokesman to President Bola Tinubu, has rejected the “illegal repatriation levies” imposed on Nigeria by the South African government.
Onoh dismissed Pretoria’s demand as an “illegal levy,” arguing that Nigeria, as a sovereign nation, cannot be forced to pay for what he called South Africa’s internally incurred expenses.
His response follows reports that South Africa wrote to Nigeria, Malawi and Ethiopia seeking reimbursement for costs of accommodating, transporting and repatriating tens of thousands of foreign nationals during its recent immigration crackdown and anti-immigrant tensions.
South African authorities said the bill covered transportation, temporary repatriation centres, accommodation and staff overtime. The Home Affairs Department called the costs “unforeseen and unavoidable.”
But Onoh said Nigeria will not pay a single cent of the R292 million, about $18.5 million, repatriation bill.
“As an independent sovereign nation, Nigeria firmly rejects this illegal levy, which directly violates international law, the principles of continental solidarity, and the fundamental rights of African citizens,” Onoh stated. He instead demanded “Xenophobic Property Indemnification” from South Africa.
In a strongly worded statement, Onoh said Nigeria was formally returning South Africa’s invoice without consideration. He cited the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, arguing that the protection and rights of migrants are the binding responsibility of the host nation.
“South Africa cannot weaponise its self-induced budgetary deficits to penalise sovereign nations for a ‘voluntary return’ crisis its own state institutions failed to contain,” he said.
He added that the R292 million spent by Pretoria’s Home Affairs Department was an internal operational cost, not a debt to be collected from foreign embassies.
Onoh also accused South Africa of ignoring the “severe, humongous financial losses” suffered by Nigerians due to xenophobic attacks. He cited looting, vandalism and destruction of hundreds of foreign-owned small businesses, manufacturing equipment, vehicles and real estate. Major companies and skilled African professionals, he said, were forced to abandon homes and investments under threat of violence while the state “turned a blind eye.”
He blamed groups like Operation Dudula and accused Pretoria of “xenophobic financial diplomatic audacity” aimed at fracturing relations with African nations including Nigeria.
Onoh said Nigeria is launching diplomatic consultations with Malawi, Ethiopia and victims. If pushed, he warned Nigeria will forward a multi-billion rand counter-demand to cover looted private fortunes.
He urged Pretoria to stop using African migrants as political scapegoats, warning that aggressive deportation bills undermine AfCFTA and will carry diplomatic and economic consequences for South Africa’s regional standing.
Onoh also referenced Nigeria’s historic support for South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle. “Nigeria spent over $61 billion, a cumulative estimate from 1960 to 1994, in financial, military and diplomatic support. If a refund is what Pretoria seeks, South Africa must deduct this repatriation bill from its massive, outstanding historical indebtedness to Nigeria,” he said.
In conclusion, Onoh said Nigeria will explore all international and multilateral channels to ensure South Africa reconciles its historical obligations, protects remaining migrants, and pays what it owes if it continues with “xenophobic diplomatic tactics.”