A Nigerian returnee from South Africa, Emmanuel Nwachukwu, has advised Nigerians considering relocation to the country to carefully evaluate the realities of life abroad, particularly the challenges associated with maintaining valid immigration documents.
Nwachukwu shared his experience in an interview with Vanguard Newspapers, on Thursday, 11 June, 2026, where he recounted the difficulties he faced while living in South Africa and the uncertainty that followed the expiration of his legal documents.
According to him, many migrants travel to South Africa with hopes of securing better economic opportunities, but some eventually encounter immigration-related hurdles that make daily life difficult. He said the inability to renew essential documents can leave foreign nationals in a vulnerable position, forcing them to live with constant fear of arrest or deportation.
Describing his ordeal, Nwachukwu said, “I have paper but it expired. I went for renewal, they couldn't renew it. When you see police you are running, when you see immigration you are running. We don't have safe life there.”
The returnee explained that the lack of valid documentation affects freedom of movement and creates anxiety among many foreigners residing in the country. He noted that encounters with law enforcement officers often become stressful experiences for migrants who are unable to regularize their immigration status.
Nwachukwu urged prospective migrants to gather adequate information about immigration policies and living conditions before making the decision to leave Nigeria.
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