The Nigerian federal government called for urgent and concrete measures to end xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The demand follows a pattern of violence targeting foreign nationals that has strained diplomatic relations and resulted in the loss of life. The escalation of these attacks threatens the safety of thousands of African migrants living and working within South African borders.
Raphael Oni, the Special Assistant on Digital Media and Public Diplomacy in the Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said the government urged South African authorities to implement immediate protections to halt the violence in a statement issued Wednesday [1].
According to government data, approximately 90 Nigerians have been killed in Afrophobic attacks in South Africa since 2022 [4]. These figures highlight a persistent security crisis for Nigerian citizens abroad.
The Nigerian government said the attacks are not only a violation of human rights but also a barrier to regional stability. The call for action focuses on the need for South Africa to address the root causes of xenophobia, and ensure the rule of law is applied to protect all residents regardless of nationality.
This diplomatic push comes as Nigeria seeks to ensure that its citizens are not targeted based on their origin. The government continues to monitor the situation to determine if further diplomatic interventions are necessary to secure the safety of its nationals [1], [2].
“Approximately 90 Nigerians have been killed in Afrophobic attacks in South Africa since 2022”
This diplomatic demand underscores a deepening crisis regarding the treatment of African migrants in South Africa. The death toll of 90 Nigerians since 2022 indicates that previous bilateral agreements or security promises have failed to curb systemic violence. If South Africa does not implement visible protections, Nigeria may be forced to escalate its diplomatic response or issue travel warnings, further complicating economic and political ties within the African Union.
