By Emmanuel Thomas I April 29, 2026
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Nigerian government issued a sharp rebuke and an urgent appeal to South African authorities on Wednesday, citing a “deteriorating” security situation and a fresh wave of xenophobic violence targeting Nigerian nationals and other Black immigrants.
In a formal statement, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), expressed deep concern over reports of targeted harassment, looting, and physical violence that have intensified over the last 72 hours.
The escalation comes despite previous high-level diplomatic engagements intended to de-escalate long-standing tensions between the continent’s two largest economies.
The commission reported that the unrest is beginning to permeate daily life, reaching beyond commercial disputes into the educational sphere.
According to NIDCOM, children of Nigerian descent are increasingly afraid to attend school, while entrepreneurs have shuttered their businesses to avoid arson and extortion.
”The situation on the ground is deteriorating,” Ms. Dabiri-Erewa said. “Collective punishment and blanket labeling of an entire nationality are unacceptable and dangerous.”
A central theme of the Nigerian appeal is the rejection of the “stigmatization” of Nigerians living in South Africa. South African populist movements have frequently blamed foreign nationals for local crime rates and unemployment—a narrative the Nigerian government is now directly challenging.
”Crime has no nationality,” the statement read. “Any individual, regardless of origin, who commits an offense should be investigated and made to face the full penalty of South African law. However, we reject the profiling and generalization of all Nigerians.”
Nigeria’s demands to Pretoria are specific and multifaceted, signaling a desire for more than just rhetoric. The commission is calling for:
Immediate Security: Increased police patrols in known “flashpoint” communities.
Judicial Action: The prompt arrest and prosecution of those involved in recent arson and extortion.
Institutional Dialogue: The creation of a joint Nigeria-South Africa community safety forum.
Public Advocacy: Clear messaging from South African leadership to condemn xenophobia and discourage stereotyping.
While the tone of the statement was firm, it stopped short of a total diplomatic break. NIDCOM commended the “majority of South Africans” who continue to live peacefully with immigrants and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working diplomatically with the South African government.
For now, the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate in Johannesburg remain in direct contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to monitor the safety of their citizens. Nigerian nationals have been advised to remain law-abiding and avoid high-risk areas after dark as both nations navigate this latest strain on their historical ties.
South African officials have not yet issued a formal response to the latest NIDCOM demands.
