The Federal Government has commenced arrangements to evacuate Nigerians willing to return home from South Africa following renewed xenophobic tensions and anti-foreigner protests in parts of the country.
This followed a phone conversation on Thursday between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, over the growing concerns surrounding the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa.
According to the Nigerian government, the discussions were triggered by continuing anti-migrant protests, including the latest demonstration held in Durban on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
The Nigerian official said the Federal Government “cannot stand by and watch the systematic harassment and humiliation of our nationals resident in South Africa.”
“The evacuation of our citizens who want to return home remains our Government’s priority at this time,” he stated.
The minister also raised concerns over alleged extra-judicial killings of Nigerians in South Africa and urged South African authorities to ensure that the police and justice system take such cases more seriously.
“There should be clear and immediate consequences for such acts,” he added.
Although the latest protest in Durban reportedly did not degenerate into violence due to heavy security deployment, Nigerians were advised by the Nigerian Mission to shut their shops and remain indoors as a precautionary measure.
The talks also focused on what Nigeria described as the “violent and indiscriminate rhetoric” of anti-foreigner political groups in South Africa, warning that such actions could endanger the lives and property of Nigerians and other African nationals.
“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,” the official said.
“This makes one wonder whether what is happening should not be more accurately defined as ‘Afriphobia’ rather than xenophobia.”
The Nigerian government further warned that the persistent attacks and hostile rhetoric could also threaten South African interests in Nigeria, while noting that Nigerians had so far shown “commendable restraint” despite rising tensions.
Another major concern raised during the conversation was the alleged bullying of Nigerian children and children of mixed Nigerian-South African heritage, popularly referred to as “Sougerians,” in South African schools.
According to the Nigerian government, some of the children had been taunted and told to “return to their country,” a development described as reprehensible and psychologically damaging.
“This is reprehensible and capable of causing trauma to young minds for whom such incidents may remain etched in memory,” the minister said.
Responding, Lamola reportedly acknowledged South Africa’s responsibility to protect affected children and assured that educational authorities were working to discourage such practices.
“The South African authorities recognise that they have a responsibility to protect these innocent children and are doing their utmost through education supervisory bodies to discourage these practices,” Lamola reportedly said.
While both countries pledged to continue diplomatic engagements aimed at de-escalating the situation, Nigerian authorities maintained that the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad remained a top priority.
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Nigerian missions in South Africa to immediately establish a crisis notification unit for distressed Nigerians.
Citizens were also advised to promptly contact South African security agencies whenever they face threats or dangerous situations.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his government have previously condemned xenophobic attacks and pledged to protect all residents regardless of nationality.