The Federal Government has emphasised plans to begin evacuation arrangements for its citizens in South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks and rising anti-foreigner sentiment across parts of the country.
The development was disclosed in a statement shared on Thursday via the X handle of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, after she held a telephone conversation with South Africa’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Ronald Lamola.
According to her, the discussion centred on growing concerns over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa amid ongoing protests and reported hostility towards foreign nationals, including incidents recorded in Durban on May 6, 2026.
“This morning, I had a phone conversation with Hon Ronald Lamola, South Africa Foreign Affairs Minister who expressed concern and misgivings concerning the plans by the government of Nigeria to evacuate its citizens desirous of leaving the Republic of South Africa due to the recent xenophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments openly expressed during continuing anti-migrant protests in South Africa,” she stated.
She maintained that the Nigerian government could not ignore reports of harassment and killings targeting its citizens.
“I maintained that our Government cannot stand by and watch the systematic harrasment 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,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also urged South African authorities to take stronger action on reported cases of violence against Nigerians, calling for accountability within the justice system.
“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 added.
She noted that while recent protests in Durban did not turn violent due to heavy security presence, Nigerians were still advised to shut down businesses and remain indoors for safety.
She further expressed concern over what she described as inflammatory rhetoric from some anti-immigrant groups and political actors in South Africa, warning that such sentiments could worsen tensions between both countries.
“Our discussions also centered 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,” she stated.
However, she noted that Nigerians in South Africa have largely exercised restraint despite the provocation.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also raised concerns about the bullying of Nigerian children and those of mixed Nigerian-South African heritage, often referred to as “Sougerians,” in schools.
“I also brought to his attention… the unfortunate fact that Nigerian Children as well as children born of both Nigerian and South African parents are being wrongfully bullied in schools and taunted to ‘return to their country’,” she said, describing the trend as “reprehensible and capable of causing trauma to young minds.”
According to her, the South African Foreign Minister acknowledged the concerns and assured that authorities are working through education and supervisory bodies to curb such behaviour.
While both countries pledged continued cooperation to de-escalate tensions, Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that Nigeria remains worried by what she described as targeted hostility against black Africans, raising questions about whether the situation should be defined as “Afriphobia” rather than xenophobia.
She added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Nigerian missions in South Africa to immediately establish a crisis notification unit to support affected citizens.
She also advised Nigerians in distress to first reach out to South African security authorities whenever emergencies arise.
