RismadarVoice Reporters
May 8, 2026
The Federal Government has begun plans to evacuate Nigerians willing to return home from South Africa following renewed anti-foreigner protests and rising tensions in parts of the country.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this after discussions with South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, over recent demonstrations and reported attacks targeting migrants, particularly in Durban.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria could no longer ignore the alleged harassment, intimidation and extra-judicial killings of Nigerians living in South Africa, stressing that the safety of citizens remains a top priority for the government.
She noted that although recent protests in Durban did not escalate into violence due to heavy security deployment, Nigerians in the area were advised to remain indoors and temporarily shut their businesses for safety reasons.
The minister also raised concerns over increasing hostility toward African migrants, including reports of bullying involving Nigerian children and those of mixed Nigerian-South African heritage in schools.
President Bola Tinubu, according to the minister, has directed Nigerian missions in South Africa to establish crisis response centres to support Nigerians facing threats or intimidation.
Meanwhile, calls for retaliatory measures against South African businesses operating in Nigeria have continued to grow, with some lawmakers and student groups advocating sanctions and protests against firms such as MTN and MultiChoice.
However, several economists cautioned against targeting South African companies, warning that such actions could harm Nigeria’s economy, lead to job losses, weaken investor confidence and strain diplomatic relations between both countries.
Some experts instead urged the government to pursue stronger diplomatic engagement, international advocacy and improved protection for Nigerians abroad while addressing the recurring xenophobic attacks through sustained dialogue with South African authorities.
