Nigerian nationals living in South Africa are calling for stronger protection and greater diplomatic support as tensions over xenophobic attacks and the treatment of foreign nationals continue to strain relations between the two African countries.
The renewed concerns come after a series of incidents involving Nigerians in South Africa, prompting the Nigerian government to intensify diplomatic engagement with Pretoria and, in some cases, facilitate the return of citizens who no longer feel safe remaining in the country.
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said the government would not stand by while its citizens face attacks or harassment abroad. In June, authorities began evacuating Nigerians from South Africa, with the government later reporting that 1,490 nationals had been brought home following the unrest.
The ministry has urged Nigerians who remain in South Africa to stay vigilant, obey local laws and report threats to Nigerian diplomatic missions. It has also said discussions with South African authorities are continuing at the highest levels to protect Nigerian nationals and address the causes of the tensions.
The issue has also drawn attention from Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to South Africa. Fani Kayode has called on South African authorities to reject what he described as the stereotyping of Nigerians, arguing that the actions of individuals should not be used to portray an entire nationality negatively.
He has also stressed the importance of preserving the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and South Africa, warning that hostility toward Nigerians could damage broader African unity and deepen mistrust between the two countries.
The latest tensions are not new. Relations between Nigerians and South Africans have periodically been tested by xenophobic violence, particularly during outbreaks of attacks against migrants and foreign owned businesses.
Nigeria and South Africa have nevertheless maintained close political, economic and cultural ties. Nigeria played an important diplomatic and financial role in supporting South Africa’s struggle against apartheid, a history that continues to shape relations between the two countries.
That history was highlighted in July when Nigeria’s House of Representatives moved to investigate the human and economic losses suffered by Nigerians during repeated xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Lawmakers said the exercise could provide a basis for seeking compensation for victims and strengthening diplomatic measures to protect Nigerians abroad.
The Nigerian government has also sought to prevent the dispute from triggering retaliation against South African nationals or businesses in Nigeria. Nigerian police previously warned citizens against reprisal attacks and said security agencies had taken steps to protect South African interests in the country.
For Nigerians living in South Africa, however, the immediate concern remains personal safety.
Many Nigerian residents have built businesses, careers and families in South Africa over the years, making the country an important destination for trade, education, employment and investment. The prospect of violence or discrimination therefore carries consequences that extend beyond individual incidents.
The Nigerian government has said it will continue working with South African authorities to address security concerns while providing consular assistance to affected citizens.
The challenge for both governments now is to prevent isolated acts of violence and criminality from becoming a wider source of hostility between two of Africa’s most influential countries.
For Nigerians in South Africa, stronger diplomatic representation, effective law enforcement and equal protection under South African law remain central to restoring confidence and ensuring that disputes between communities do not escalate into violence.
