The Federal Government of Nigeria has summoned South Africa's Acting High Commissioner over recent reports of attacks targeting Nigerians and their businesses in the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the envoy has been invited to a meeting scheduled for today, May 4, 2026, in Abuja, where Nigeria will formally convey its concerns over the developments.
The Federal Government said the move follows reports that recent protests in South Africa escalated into incidents of harassment, violence, and destruction of property belonging to foreign nationals, including Nigerians. Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, stated that the Nigerian High Commission and the Consulate are in constant communication with relevant host authorities to ensure that the exposure of Nigerian nationals to the current tensions is minimized amid ongoing consultations with South Africa's highest authorities.
“The president has reiterated that the priority at this time remains the safety of our citizens. Consequently, arrangements are currently underway to collate details of Nigerians in South Africa for voluntary repatriation flights for those seeking assistance to return home. So far, 130 applicants have duly registered for the exercise with our mission in South Africa, but this figure is expected to rise. Nigerian associations in South Africa are also assisting our mission in this regard,” she added.
“Nigerian lives and businesses in South Africa must not continue to be put at risk, and we remain committed to working with South Africa to explore ways to put an end to this xenophobic pattern. It has become a repetitive wave, most especially prior to elections in South Africa, and anti-foreigner opposition parties leverage this situation to garner votes,” she further stated.
Human Rights Scholar Calls for Urgent Action
Meanwhile, as angry South Africans intensify attacks on migrants in some major cities, international human rights scholar and Chief Executive Officer of AfriRIGHTS, Prof. Uchenna Emelonye, has tasked the Nigerian government, as well as regional bodies like ECOWAS and African civil society organizations, to step up advocacy to create awareness and give the issue the seriousness it deserves. He called the attack a systematic infringement on the fundamental human rights of migrants.
In a statement yesterday, Emelonye, a renowned human rights scholar at Bournemouth University, United Kingdom, and former United Nations Senior Human Rights Envoy, described the ongoing attacks against foreign nationals as serious and multiple violations of international, regional, and domestic human rights law.
The statement read in part: “These are not isolated incidents of public disorder; they represent systematic infringements on the fundamental rights of African migrants, including Nigerians, who are lawfully resident in the country. The violence, marked by killings, physical assaults, and destruction of property, directly violates the right to life and personal security. The targeting of individuals solely on the basis of being 'foreign' constitutes xenophobic discrimination, in violation of the right to dignity and equality. Furthermore, the widespread looting and destruction of migrant-owned businesses violates the right to property and livelihood. The forced displacement of migrants through violence amounts to constructive expulsion, undermining the right to freedom of movement and residence.
“At this critical moment, the Nigerian government must act swiftly, decisively, and visibly to safeguard its citizens. This includes deploying rapid response consular teams, engaging diplomatically with South Africa, providing legal and compensation support to victims, and activating regional accountability mechanisms. Protection of citizens abroad is not discretionary; it is a core sovereign responsibility. This crisis is not only a legal failure; it is a profound test of African solidarity and governance.”
