Date: May 4, 2026 l By Reporter: Ebere Njoku
At least 130 Nigerian nationals in South Africa have requested urgent repatriation following a wave of protests targeting foreign nationals, according to officials in Nigeria. The development underscores growing concerns over safety and escalating tensions in one of Africa’s most economically significant nations.
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, confirmed that the affected citizens are the first group to apply under a newly launched government initiative aimed at evacuating nationals from volatile regions abroad. The move comes amid fears that the demonstrations could spiral into broader confrontations.
The protests, which took place in major cities including Pretoria and Johannesburg, were largely driven by demands for stricter immigration controls. Demonstrators argue that undocumented migrants are placing pressure on employment opportunities, public services, and security systems.
However, migrant advocacy groups have strongly pushed back against these claims, warning that foreign nationals are often unfairly blamed for broader economic challenges facing South Africa. Analysts note that such tensions have historically contributed to outbreaks of xenophobic violence in the country, complicating its diplomatic relations with fellow African nations.
In response to the situation, the Nigerian government has summoned South Africa’s High Commissioner in Abuja to express its concerns, signaling a potential diplomatic strain between the two countries. At the same time, Nigerian diplomatic missions in South Africa are working closely with local authorities to enhance security measures and reduce risks to their citizens.
South African authorities have previously pledged to clamp down on acts of xenophobic violence after reports from countries such as Ghana indicated that their nationals had faced attacks and discrimination. Nevertheless, with additional protests scheduled for May 4 and May 8, concerns remain high over the possibility of renewed unrest.
The situation highlights the fragile balance between domestic economic pressures and regional migration dynamics within Africa. As Nigeria monitors developments closely, the success of its repatriation programme and South Africa’s ability to manage internal tensions will likely shape the trajectory of relations between the two influential nations in the coming weeks.