The Federal Government has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the South African government over what it described as its failure to take firm action against a fresh wave of xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African migrants in the country.
Nigeria on Monday warned that it could review bilateral privileges and take diplomatic measures against South Africa if the situation continues, as concerns grow over the safety of Nigerians living and doing business in Africa’s most industrialised nation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this after briefing State House correspondents following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
She accused South African authorities of failing to adequately protect Nigerian citizens whose businesses have allegedly been looted and destroyed by attackers.
According to the minister, many Nigerians living legally in South Africa have become victims of harassment, intimidation and violence, while security agencies have not done enough to stop the attacks.
“Our citizens are being harassed. Our citizens’ properties are being looted. Criminal actions are being perpetrated, and the police refuse to do anything,” she said.
“The South African government has not come out strongly and firmly enough to condemn these incidents.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also rejected claims by some South African officials that Nigerians being targeted were undocumented migrants.
She maintained that many of the affected Nigerians are legitimate business owners and residents who possess valid travel documents and legal permits.
“To say that Nigerians who are in South Africa doing legitimate business are illegal migrants is absolutely untrue. People who are doing legitimate business have their shops looted and set on fire. Children cannot go to school because they are intimidated in their schools,” she stated.
The minister said the latest developments have generated anger among Nigerians, especially given the role Nigeria played in supporting South Africa during the struggle against apartheid and racial segregation.
She recalled that Nigeria committed enormous financial, diplomatic and educational resources to the liberation movement that eventually led to the end of apartheid and the establishment of democratic rule in South Africa.
According to her, many Nigerians participated actively in campaigns against apartheid and made sacrifices to support South Africa’s quest for freedom.
“Nigeria sacrificed much for the South African struggle for independence. Nigeria committed funds and resources. In schools, seats were reserved for South African students,” she said.
“My generation carried placards and demonstrated against apartheid. Some of us were even arrested during those demonstrations. Nigerians are not happy about how they have been treated.”
The minister further argued that the attacks appear to be directed mainly at black African migrants rather than all foreign nationals.
“They are not asking other migrants to leave. They are only asking black migrants to leave,” she said.
Her comments came amid growing calls within Nigeria for tougher action against South Africa over recurring attacks on Nigerians and their businesses.
When asked whether Nigeria was considering retaliatory measures against South African companies operating in the country, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said such options were being examined by the government.
“That is a situation that we are considering. This is a decision that has to be taken at the highest level of government. But it is not off the table,” she said.
The warning follows recent actions by the National Assembly.
The House of Representatives had earlier recommended the temporary suspension of business permits granted to South African companies operating in Nigeria.
Similarly, the Senate resolved to send a high-level delegation led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio to South Africa to formally convey Nigeria’s displeasure over the attacks.
The Federal Government is also moving ahead with plans to evacuate Nigerians who wish to return home due to safety concerns.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed that President Tinubu had approved five evacuation flights to be operated by Air Peace to bring affected Nigerians back to the country.
She also revealed that the President directed the immediate establishment of a crisis response unit within Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in Johannesburg and Pretoria to support citizens facing difficulties.
According to the minister, as of June 8, no fewer than 1,092 Nigerians had registered voluntarily for evacuation.
She said the registration and screening process had been extended until June 10 to ensure that all interested applicants were accommodated.
More than 500 Nigerians have already been screened and cleared for evacuation.
The first flight, initially scheduled to depart Johannesburg on Monday with about 270 passengers, was postponed until Wednesday due to operational and logistical challenges.
The minister stressed that the delay had nothing to do with diplomatic disagreements between the two countries.
She explained that the evacuation exercise was being coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other government institutions.
According to her, arrangements are also being made to support returnees after they arrive in Nigeria.
“This evacuation is being undertaken with NEMA and other government agencies to ensure that once Nigerians come in, they can be rehabilitated,” she said.
The latest tensions were triggered by anti-immigration protests organised by groups such as Operation Dudula and March for March in late April.
The groups have been campaigning against the presence of foreign nationals in South Africa, accusing migrants of taking jobs and placing pressure on public services.
Their protests have created fear among foreign communities across several provinces and renewed concerns about xenophobic violence.
Nigeria’s decision to evacuate willing citizens was not welcomed by South African authorities.
According to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, South Africa’s Foreign Minister raised concerns about the evacuation plan during a telephone conversation held on May 7.
However, the Nigerian minister said she defended the decision and made it clear that the safety of Nigerians remained the government’s priority.
“I maintained that our government cannot stand by and watch the systematic harassment and humiliation of our nationals resident in South Africa, as well as the extrajudicial killings of our people,” she said.
“The evacuation of our citizens who want to return home remains our government’s priority.”
The Federal Government had earlier summoned South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lesoli Machele, for urgent discussions over the situation.
Relations between Nigeria and South Africa have experienced periodic strain over xenophobic violence for nearly two decades.
Major attacks against foreign nationals were recorded in 2008, 2015 and 2019, leading to deaths, injuries and destruction of businesses belonging to migrants from several African countries.
Many Nigerians were among the victims during those outbreaks of violence.
The incidents often sparked diplomatic tensions between Africa’s two biggest economies and prompted calls for stronger protection of foreign nationals.
Although both countries have repeatedly pledged to strengthen relations and address the root causes of xenophobia, the problem has continued to re-emerge.
The latest crisis has once again put the spotlight on the safety of Nigerians abroad and raised questions about the future of relations between Nigeria and South Africa.