FG demands end to attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

Nigeria has called on South Africa to implement urgent and concrete measures to halt xenophobic and Afrophobic violence targeting African nationals. The Nigerian government also emphasized the need for stronger migration governance, responsible political leadership, and improved people-to-people relations across the continent to prevent further attacks.

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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

Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, stated that the term "Afrophobia" more accurately describes the nature of these attacks, noting their "particularly African, post-colonial and post-apartheid character." He expressed concern over the irony of citizens from nations that supported South Africa's anti-apartheid movement now facing hostility as "unwanted outsiders."

To preserve historical context, Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has commissioned a study documenting the nation's extensive support for South Africa's liberation struggle. This support included an estimated financial commitment exceeding $60 billion, the nationalization of British Petroleum, scholarships, and hospitality for 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," Enikanolaiye remarked.

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The term Afrophobia more accurately captured the nature of the attacks.

Nigeria is particularly alarmed by the loss of life, reporting that around 90 Nigerians have been killed in Afrophobic attacks since June 2022, with further incidents and displacement occurring in 2026. The minister warned that such violence damages South Africa's international reputation, deters investor confidence, undermines regional integration, and diminishes the moral authority earned through its liberation struggle. He urged South African authorities to strengthen transparent migration systems and ensure immigration law enforcement remains solely a state responsibility, cautioning against vigilantism.

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The government also urged stronger migration governance, responsible political leadership and deeper people-to-people relations across the continent to prevent further violence against migrants.