By George Omagbemi Sylvester
The Federal Government has called on the South African Government to take urgent and concrete action to halt the recurring xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African migrants, warning that continued violence threatens the long-standing diplomatic and economic ties between both countries.
The demand was made on Monday, July 27, 2026, during a meeting in Abuja between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, who visited Nigeria as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy.
Enikanolaiye disclosed that 98 Nigerians have been killed in hate-related attacks in South Africa since 2022, while about 1,490 Nigerians have been evacuated following the recent wave of anti-immigrant violence.
He stressed that Nigeria does not condone criminality by any of its citizens but insisted that offenders should be prosecuted through due process rather than subjected to mob violence or collective punishment.
The minister urged Pretoria to ensure the protection of lawful migrants, investigate all reported attacks, and bring perpetrators to justice.
Responding, Lamola reaffirmed South Africa’s opposition to xenophobia and discrimination, assuring the Nigerian Government that his country remains committed to protecting all law-abiding residents regardless of nationality.
Both sides pledged to strengthen diplomatic cooperation and sustain dialogue aimed at restoring confidence, protecting lives, and preserving the strategic partnership between Africa’s two largest economies.
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