The Minister of Foreign Affairs has assured that no Nigerian who has indicated interest in leaving South Africa will be left behind
KaNo —
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians residing in South Africa that all citizens who have indicated interest in returning home amid ongoing xenophobic attacks will be evacuated before June 30, 2026.
The government also signalled that it may review its engagement with South African businesses operating in Nigeria if the attacks persist, citing growing concerns over the safety of Nigerian nationals and what it described as unequal treatment.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze.
According to the minister, the administration of Bola Tinubu remains committed to protecting Nigerians abroad and will ensure that no citizen willing to return from South Africa is left behind.
She noted that the first batch of 258 evacuees had been successfully airlifted back to Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, received the returnees at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on June 11 on behalf of the Federal Government.
“The Minister of Foreign Affairs has assured that no Nigerian who has indicated interest in leaving South Africa will be left behind,” the statement read.
“Arrangements are in place to ensure all affected citizens are brought home safely before the June 30 deadline.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that President Tinubu had directed that Nigerians exposed to harassment and violence in South Africa be assisted without delay, particularly those who voluntarily opted to return home.
While stressing the importance of diplomatic caution, she expressed concern over the deteriorating situation, noting that many Nigerians affected by the attacks had lived in South Africa for years and built families there.
“When your citizens are being harassed—people who have spent years there, some married to South Africans with children who know no other home—it becomes a serious concern,” she said.
The minister lamented that the crisis had escalated to the point where even South African spouses of Nigerians and their children were reportedly being asked to leave the country.
“Under these circumstances, they are asking not just Nigerians, but also their South African spouses and their children, to leave South Africa,” she added.
She further raised concerns over what she described as the disparity in how Nigerians are treated in South Africa compared to the operations of South African companies in Nigeria.
“There are over 120 South African companies operating in Nigeria. Nobody is asking them to provide proof of identity. Nobody is questioning their staff or taking over their businesses,” she said.
“But this is happening to Nigerians in South Africa. At some point, we have to review the options available to us.”
The minister disclosed that vigilante groups in South Africa had been targeting migrants in several cities, looting shops, vandalising homes, and subjecting foreign nationals to intimidation and violence.
She added that there were reports of fatalities among migrants, while law enforcement agencies in South Africa were accused of failing to adequately protect victims or prevent attacks.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also revealed that efforts to activate a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Nigeria and South Africa in October 2025 had stalled.
The agreement, which was intended to establish an early warning mechanism to protect citizens of both countries, has yet to take effect due to objections from South African authorities.
According to her, South Africa claimed that officials who signed the agreement on its behalf lacked the authority to make it binding, insisting that additional procedures were required before implementation.
Despite the setback, the Nigerian government said it continues to engage South African authorities through diplomatic channels while exploring other lawful options.
The minister stressed that any retaliatory measures would be pursued in line with constitutional provisions and due legislative process.
She also warned that the ongoing xenophobic attacks could damage South Africa’s international reputation, invoking the legacy of the late anti-apartheid leader, Nelson Mandela.
“The late Madiba worked tirelessly to position South Africa as a bastion of pan-Africanism. These attacks risk destroying that legacy,” she said.
“South Africa is being stained with the stigma of xenophobia, and this is not something that will serve the country well in the long run.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has hinted more strongly at possible measures against South African firms operating in Nigeria if the attacks do not abate.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu reiterated that Nigeria has so far exercised restraint and prioritised diplomacy but may be compelled to take further steps if necessary.
“As I indicated, there are large South African conglomerates operating in Nigeria. We have shown goodwill, but this situation cannot continue indefinitely,” she said.
The National Assembly has also condemned the attacks, urging the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action to protect Nigerians abroad.
Lawmakers called for intensified diplomatic engagement and the implementation of protective measures to ensure the safety and dignity of Nigerian citizens living in South Africa.
The evacuation exercise is expected to continue in phases over the coming days, with officials working to meet the June 30 deadline set by the Federal Government.
