Nigerians escaping xenophobic violence in South Africa are frequently compelled to leave behind children fathered with local women. Francis Akpan, a Johannesburg-based resident from Akwa Ibom State, describes this as a harrowing outcome of the ongoing hostility directed toward foreigners.
Akpan explained that many men wish to return to Nigeria but face significant barriers. Financial constraints often prevent them from taking their children, while some South African mothers strictly forbid their children from leaving the country with their fathers. One notable example is Samuel Finecountry, a man from Rivers State who reportedly left five adult children behind upon his return to Nigeria. Another resident from Cross River State plans to repatriate in 2026 but intends to leave his three children in South Africa.
Many of these children identify exclusively as South African and maintain little to no cultural connection to their fathers’ homeland. Akpan pointed to professional footballer Ime Okon as an example of this detachment, noting that the player, whose father was Nigerian, considers himself solely South African. While international pressure from groups like the African Union and the European Union has reportedly reduced the frequency of attacks, the long-term social impact on families remains severe. Akpan claims the South African government is now seeking to improve relations after its economy suffered from the closure of many foreign-owned businesses, though these claims remain unverified.
