Nigeria Plans Evacuation of Citizens from South Africa

The Federal Government of Nigeria announced on Thursday that it is making arrangements to evacuate its citizens from South Africa due to renewed xenophobic attacks and anti-foreign sentiment. Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu disclosed that the government will not stand by while Nigerians are subjected to harassment and humiliation.

In a phone conversation with South African Foreign Affairs Minister Ronald Lamola, Ojukwu expressed concerns regarding the safety of Nigerians in South Africa amid ongoing protests targeting foreign nationals. The Nigerian government prioritizes the safe return of its citizens who wish to leave, especially in light of recent incidents in Durban on May 6, 2026.

Ojukwu emphasized the need for justice in cases of extrajudicial killings of Nigerians in South Africa and condemned the systemic harassment faced by Nigerian nationals. The South African government, represented by Lamola, acknowledged its responsibility to protect all residents, including Nigerian children facing bullying in schools.