Tensions between Nigeria and South Africa have heightened following a firm rejection by the South African government regarding compensation for Nigerians who evacuated from the country amid recent anti-migrant unrest. Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, officially dismissed calls for financial restitution during a press briefing on Friday. The controversy began when Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, indicated that the Nigerian government was exploring options to seek compensation for citizens who were forced to abandon businesses, assets, and properties while fleeing the country. In her response, Minister Ntshavheni stated unequivocally that the South African government would not provide compensation for properties left behind. She drew a sharp distinction between legally registered assets and structures located in informal settlements, which she characterized as illegal under South African law. According to the minister, legitimate, registered properties can be disposed of through the country’s formal property market, but the state holds no obligation to compensate for assets that do not meet legal requirements. The minister’s remarks drew strong criticism from former Nigerian Senator Shehu Sani, who publicly questioned the tone and content of her statements, describing them as unbecoming of a senior government official. Addressing the backlash, Minister Ntshavheni stood by her comments, asserting, I did not stutter. Any form of property obtained illegally will not be compensated for. Furthermore, the minister steered the discourse toward allegations of criminal activity, challenging the Nigerian government to provide specific intelligence on the locations of drug-related operations she attributed to Nigerian nationals. She argued that identifying such hubs would assist South African authorities in enforcing the law and addressing public safety concerns. This latest exchange comes as the Nigerian government continues to manage the return of its citizens, with reports confirming that over 850 Nigerians have been evacuated across four separate flights since the onset of the recent violence. Diplomatic efforts remain ongoing, with Nigerian officials calling for greater protection of their citizens' interests, while South African authorities maintain that the matter is strictly a legal issue governed by their domestic regulatory framework.