Nigerian migrants returning from South Africa face the same economic issues they left behind

Nigerian migrants repatriated from South Africa face familiar economic challenges back home. A chartered flight last week carried hundreds of Nigerians fleeing anti-migrant marches to Lagos. Among them is Iniebong James, 52, who returns after a decade in South Africa. James left Nigeria in 2013 on a six-month visa and built a life as a car mechanic in the Eastern Cape. In May, he was attacked by anti-immigrant protesters, leaving him with a head wound. South Africa has long attracted migrants, but xenophobic sentiment has surged, prompting repatriations. Before moving to South Africa, James worked as a truck driver in Lagos; unemployment and power outages pushed him to leave. He says he had to pay community police 200 rand weekly to run his shop and was arrested twice, paying immigration officers; AP could not verify. Back home, James hopes to find work, but fears the job market is tougher. He would submit his CV if someone can hire him, and hopes government assistance will help. Nigeria's 2023 reforms, including the removal of decades-long fuel subsidies, have reshaped the economy.