Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, has revealed details of high level discussions with South African authorities following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
Speaking after a telephone conversation with South African Foreign Affairs Minister, Ronald Lamola, Bianca stated that the Nigerian government would not remain silent while its citizens face harassment, intimidation and extra judicial killings.
According to a statement shared on her official Facebook page, the Federal Government has now prioritized the evacuation of Nigerians willing to return home from South Africa amid growing anti migrant protests and tensions.
She disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Nigerian Missions in South Africa to immediately establish a Crisis Notification Unit to support Nigerians facing danger or intimidation.
“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, the latest of which took place in Durban, South Africa, yesterday 6th May 2026,” she stated.
Bianca stressed that Nigeria would not tolerate the continued victimization of its citizens abroad.
“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.”
She further urged South African authorities to ensure that perpetrators of attacks against Nigerians are brought to justice.
“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.”
The minister noted that although Wednesday’s protest in Durban was heavily monitored by security operatives and did not escalate into violence, Nigerian residents were advised by the Nigerian Mission to close their businesses and remain indoors for safety reasons.
Bianca also raised concerns over anti foreigner rhetoric by some South African political groups, warning that such actions could threaten diplomatic and economic relations 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, but which conversely might also have the effect jeopardizing the safety of South African interests in Nigeria.”
She praised Nigerians in South Africa for exercising restraint despite mounting provocations.
“Nigerians have exercised, and continue to demonstrate commendable restraint, in their response to the ongoing crisis.”
The minister also expressed concern over reports that Nigerian children and children born to Nigerian and South African parents, popularly referred to as “Sougerians,” are being bullied and harassed in schools.
“I also brought to his attention, having engaged with some of our Nationals resident with their families in South Africa, the unfortunate fact that Nigerian Children as well as children born of both Nigerian and South African parents referred to as ‘Sougerians’ are being wrongfully bullied in schools and taunted to ‘return to their country’.
“This is reprehensible and capable of causing trauma to young minds for whom such incidents may remain etched in memory.”
Responding to the concerns, South African Foreign Affairs Minister Ronald Lamola reportedly assured Nigeria that authorities are working through educational and security institutions to discourage xenophobic practices and protect innocent residents, particularly children.
