President Bola Tinubu has directed Nigerian diplomatic missions in South Africa to immediately establish a crisis notifications unit to protect citizens amid escalating anti-foreigner violence in the country.
The directive followed a high-level phone conversation between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and South Africa’s Foreign Minister, Ronald Lamola, on Thursday.
According to the minister, Nigerians in distress are being advised to contact South African security authorities during emergencies while also registering with Nigerian missions for evacuation support where necessary.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said President Tinubu’s instruction reflects Nigeria’s urgent response to the deteriorating security situation affecting its citizens abroad.
“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria… has directed that the Nigerian missions in South Africa set up, with immediate effect, a crisis notifications unit for imperilled citizens,” she said.
The minister added that the Federal Government would not remain passive while Nigerians face harassment, humiliation, and reported extrajudicial killings.
She noted that evacuation arrangements are already underway for citizens who wish to return home.
During discussions with her South African counterpart, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said she raised concerns about attacks on Nigerians and urged stronger action from South African authorities.
She called for accountability in cases involving alleged killings of Nigerians and demanded that justice systems ensure swift consequences for perpetrators.
“Our government cannot stand by and watch the systematic harassment and humiliation of our nationals resident in South Africa,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also warned that inflammatory rhetoric from anti-foreigner groups in South Africa was endangering both lives and property, with potential diplomatic repercussions.
She disclosed that some Nigerian children and dual-national students—described as “Sougerians”—have faced bullying in schools, including being told to return to their country.
She described the situation as traumatic and unacceptable.
“What is happening should not be accurately defined as xenophobia but perhaps more appropriately as ‘Afriphobia,’” she said, citing what she described as targeted hostility toward black Africans.
Despite the tensions, the minister commended Nigerians in South Africa for exercising restraint amid provocations.
She also confirmed that at least 130 Nigerians have registered for voluntary evacuation as unrest continues in cities including Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, and East London.
The crisis has been linked to groups such as Operation Dudula and the March and March Movement, which have led anti-immigrant demonstrations.
The Nigerian House of Representatives has condemned the violence and recommended a temporary suspension of business permits for South African companies operating in Nigeria.
Nigeria and South Africa have a long history of diplomatic strain over xenophobic violence, with major outbreaks recorded in 2008, 2015, and 2019.
Both governments say they remain engaged in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and protect foreign nationals.
