President Bola Tinubu has instructed Nigerian diplomatic missions in South Africa to immediately create a crisis notification unit to assist Nigerians affected by escalating anti-foreigner tensions in the country. The directive was announced by Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, after discussions with her South African counterpart, Ronald Lamola, amid growing concerns for the safety of Nigerians residing there.
According to the minister, Nigerians facing threats or emergencies should promptly contact South African security agencies while also engaging the newly established crisis response channels through Nigerian missions. She stated, "The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, has directed that the Nigerian missions in South Africa set up, with immediate effect, a crisis notifications unit for imperilled citizens who have also been advised first and foremost to contact SA security authorities whenever dangerous situations arise."
Odumegwu-Ojukwu revealed that Lamola expressed reservations about Nigeria's evacuation plans for its nationals, but stressed that the Federal Government could not remain passive while Nigerians were allegedly subjected to intimidation, humiliation, and unlawful killings. She said, "I maintained that our government cannot stand by and watch the systematic harassment and humiliation of our nationals resident in SA as well as the extra-judicial killings of our people, and that the evacuation of our citizens who want to return home remains our government's priority at this time."
The minister also called for stronger action from South African authorities regarding reported killings of Nigerians, urging the country's police and judicial institutions to ensure swift accountability for offenders. She added, "I also highlighted the need for their police and justice systems to take the cases on ground of extra-judicial killings of Nigerians in South Africa more seriously and that there should be clear and immediate consequences for such acts."
She further condemned the rhetoric and actions of anti-foreigner political groups operating in South Africa, warning that the hostility directed at African migrants could trigger diplomatic and social repercussions. "Our discussions also centred on the violent and indiscriminate rhetoric and actions of South Africa's anti-foreigner political parties which puts the lives and properties of Nigerian and other nationals at risk, but which conversely might also have the effect of jeopardising the safety of South African interests in Nigeria," she stated.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed concern over reports that Nigerian children and children of mixed Nigerian-South African heritage, commonly referred to as "Sougerians," were allegedly being bullied in schools and told to "return to their country." She described this as "reprehensible and capable of causing trauma to young minds for whom such incidents may remain etched in memory."
She noted that Lamola acknowledged the issue and assured that South African authorities were working with educational bodies to discourage such behaviour and protect affected children. The minister commended Nigerians living in South Africa for maintaining restraint despite the tensions, saying, "Nigerians have exercised, and continue to demonstrate, commendable restraint in their response to the ongoing crisis."
Questioning the nature of the attacks, Odumegwu-Ojukwu argued that the violence appeared to be specifically targeted at black Africans rather than foreigners generally. "What is worrisome to our citizens both in Nigeria and those resident in South Africa is that the demand that all foreigners leave South Africa appears to be targeted only towards black Africans, which makes one wonder whether what is happening should not be more accurately defined as 'Afriphobia' rather than xenophobia," she said.
Both countries agreed to continue diplomatic engagements aimed at easing tensions and preventing further escalation. The minister disclosed that no casualties were recorded during protests in Durban on Wednesday due to heavy security deployment, although Nigerians in the area were advised to temporarily shut their businesses and remain indoors for safety.
At least 130 Nigerians have reportedly registered for voluntary evacuation flights from South Africa as tensions continue to rise. The Federal Government had earlier summoned South Africa's Acting High Commissioner, Lesoli Machele, in Abuja over the deaths of two Nigerians, Nnaemeka Matthew Andrew Ekpeyong and Kelvin Chidiebere Amaramiro, who were allegedly assaulted by South African security personnel.
Recent anti-foreigner protests have spread across Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, East London, and parts of KwaZulu-Natal, with groups such as Operation Dudula and the March and March Movement linked to the demonstrations. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has condemned the attacks and recommended a temporary suspension of business permits issued to South African companies operating in Nigeria. South Africa has witnessed repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence in 2008, 2015, and 2019, incidents that have repeatedly strained diplomatic relations between both countries.
