Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has publicly condemned xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians in South Africa, vowing that the Federal Government will not tolerate harassment or violence against its citizens abroad. Following a telephone conversation with South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola, Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate creation of a Crisis Notification Unit at Nigerian diplomatic missions in South Africa to assist citizens in distress. She disclosed that the government is prioritising the evacuation of Nigerians who wish to return home, amid growing safety concerns triggered by anti-foreigner protests, including a demonstration in Durban on May 6, 2026. The minister emphasized that Nigeria would not remain passive in the face of what she described as systematic humiliation and extra-judicial killings of its nationals, demanding that South African authorities ensure swift justice for perpetrators of violence. Odumegwu-Ojukwu reported that while the Durban protests did not escalate into violence due to heavy security presence, Nigerian businesses in the area were advised by the Nigerian Mission to close temporarily and citizens to stay indoors. She raised concerns about anti-foreigner political groups spreading inflammatory rhetoric, warning that such actions could impact South African interests in Nigeria. The minister also highlighted that Nigerian children and mixed-race "Sougerians" have faced bullying in schools, with some told to "return to their country," an experience she described as traumatic. In response, Lamola affirmed South Africa's commitment to protecting children and said measures are being taken through educational authorities to prevent discrimination.
The Nigerian government's decision to activate evacuation plans and establish a crisis unit signals a shift from diplomatic silence to direct intervention, prompted by specific incidents on May 6 and reports of children being targeted. While South Africa has acknowledged the need to protect minors, the persistence of school-based discrimination suggests existing safeguards are insufficient. The minister's emphasis on justice for killings and harassment exposes a gap between diplomatic assurances and on-the-ground security for Nigerians. Political rhetoric in South Africa continues to shape Nigeria's response, with reciprocal risks now explicitly on the table.
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