FG Demands Urgent Action Against Attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

The Federal Government has called on South Africa to take urgent measures to stop xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals living in the country.

The government also advocated stronger migration policies, responsible political leadership and closer cooperation between African countries to prevent further violence against migrants.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, made the call on Tuesday during a virtual roundtable titled “South Africa’s Xenophobia in Comparative Perspective,” organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.

Enikanolaiye said Nigeria regarded the situation as a serious matter that required urgent attention without either denying the problem or exaggerating its scale.

He argued that the term Afrophobia more accurately captured the nature of the attacks, describing the violence as having “a particularly African, post-colonial and post-apartheid character.”

The minister said it was particularly troubling that citizens of countries that supported South Africa during its struggle against apartheid were now being treated as unwanted outsiders.

He disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had directed the NIIA to conduct a comprehensive study of Nigeria’s contribution to South Africa’s liberation struggle.

According to Enikanolaiye, Nigeria spent more than $60 billion supporting the anti-apartheid struggle, while also nationalising British Petroleum, providing scholarships and offering accommodation to South African leaders.

“The relationship between Nigeria and South Africa is not reducible to trade statistics or diplomatic communiqués. There is history in that relationship. There is blood, sacrifice and solidarity in that history,” he said.

Enikanolaiye said Nigeria was particularly concerned about fatalities arising from Afrophobic attacks, revealing that about 90 Nigerians had been killed since June 2022.

He added that fresh incidents of attacks and displacement had been recorded in 2026, raising renewed concerns about the safety of Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa.

The minister warned that continued violence could undermine South Africa’s international reputation, investor confidence and efforts towards deeper regional integration across Africa.

He urged South African authorities to strengthen migration management systems and ensure that immigration laws were enforced exclusively by authorised government agencies.

Enikanolaiye also cautioned against vigilantism, calling on political leaders to avoid inflammatory rhetoric that could fuel hostility towards migrants.

He specifically warned that portraying migrants as “criminals” or “job thieves” could create an environment conducive to violence.

The minister further called for greater reliance on verified facts and credible data in public discussions about migration, warning against misinformation and rumours circulating on social media.

He also urged Nigeria and South Africa to fully activate existing early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms to enable authorities to identify rising tensions and intervene before they escalate into violence.

Enikanolaiye stressed that protecting African migrants and maintaining peaceful relations between African countries required coordinated action, responsible leadership and stronger institutional mechanisms.

He said Nigeria remained committed to constructive engagement with South Africa while insisting that the safety and dignity of Nigerians living in the country must be protected.