The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally summoned the South African Acting High Commissioner to Abuja following a fresh wave of xenophobic hostility and organised anti-foreigner protests targeting Nigerians. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the directive on Saturday, demanding an urgent meeting to address the safety of Nigerian nationals and the protection of their assets within the Republic of South Africa.
According to a statement released by Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, the meeting is scheduled for Monday at the Ministry’s headquarters. The summons serves as a formal diplomatic channel to convey Nigeria’s "profound concern" over the deteriorating situation. The government highlighted that the persistent nature of these demonstrations, often characterised by the profiling of foreign-owned businesses, threatens to undermine the diplomatic and economic ties between the two African powerhouses.
The diplomatic escalation follows a series of tense demonstrations led by various South African groups, which have reportedly resulted in the looting of shops and physical intimidation of migrants in urban hubs like Johannesburg and Pretoria. "The Nigerian government finds the recurring nature of these attacks unacceptable," the Ministry’s statement noted, emphasising that the South African government must fulfil its international obligations to protect all residents within its borders.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), led by Chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa, had previously raised an alarm on April 29, calling for immediate intervention. In an official briefing, Dabiri-Erewa described the atmosphere as increasingly volatile and urged South African security forces to move beyond rhetoric and provide tangible security on the ground. She noted that while Nigeria remains committed to Pan-Africanism, the lives of its citizens cannot be used as pawns in domestic socio-economic frustrations.
The Nigerian Union in South Africa has also issued a safety advisory, instructing Nigerians in high-risk zones to avoid public gatherings and maintain a low profile. The union’s leadership expressed frustration with what they termed "the slow response of local law enforcement" to early warning signs of violence.