The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, has met with South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, to address growing concerns over recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
Lamola attended the meeting as a special envoy of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Speaking during the engagement, Enikanolaiye said President Bola Tinubu directed the meeting to ensure both countries openly discuss the persistent attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa.
The minister urged the South African government to take urgent and concrete steps to end what Nigeria described as recurring Afrophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals.
He warned that the continued violence could undermine the long-standing strategic partnership between Africa’s two largest economies.
Enikanolaiye recalled Nigeria’s role in supporting South Africa’s struggle against apartheid and highlighted the strong cooperation between both countries in transforming the Organisation of African Unity into the African Union and advancing the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
He also expressed concern over what he described as a recurring pattern of xenophobic violence spanning more than three decades.
According to the minister, major incidents were recorded in 1995, 1998, 2006, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024 and 2026, raising concerns about the safety of Nigerians and other African nationals residing in South Africa.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to engaging South African authorities to strengthen bilateral relations while ensuring the protection of Nigerians living and working in the country.
