Repatriated Nigerian Woman Alleges Ill-Treatment in South African Hospital
A Nigerian woman repatriated from South Africa, Ilugbadebo Oyebola, has detailed the traumatic ill-treatment she experienced as a foreigner when she gave birth at a South African hospital. Oyebola was among 271 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa on June 30, 2025, following anti-immigrant protests.
Traumatic Childbirth Experience
Speaking to The Cable upon arrival in Nigeria, Oyebola described her 11 years in South Africa as traumatizing. She moved to South Africa in 2015 to join her husband, leaving her son in Nigeria. During her stay, she could not secure stable employment due to lack of a work permit. She gave birth to two daughters in South Africa.
Oyebola recounted: 'When I gave birth to my first daughter, I felt so bad because on the day that I gave birth, I was asked to clean the hospital floor because I started bleeding. One of the nurses came there. She started speaking to me in their language. The moment she knew I couldn't respond, she knew I was a foreigner and so she started telling me to clean the floor. You can imagine the trauma.'
Widespread Anti-Foreigner Sentiment
Oyebola stated that hatred against foreigners is pervasive in South Africa, and healthcare for foreigners is virtually nonexistent. Her story highlights the challenges faced by Nigerian immigrants in South Africa, particularly during anti-immigrant unrest. The evacuation of 271 Nigerians underscores the severity of the situation.
