Tinubu Orders Nigerian Missions in South Africa to Set Up Crisis Units Amid Rising Anti-Foreigner Tensions

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Nigerian diplomatic missions in South Africa to immediately establish crisis response units to support Nigerians facing threats amid escalating anti-foreigner tensions across parts of the country.

The directive was disclosed by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, following discussions with her South African counterpart, Ronald Lamola, over growing concerns about attacks targeting foreign nationals.

According to the minister, Nigerians in distress have also been advised to promptly report threats or dangerous situations to South African security authorities while diplomatic missions coordinate emergency assistance and evacuation support where necessary.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that the Federal Government remains committed to protecting Nigerians abroad and would not ignore reports of harassment, intimidation, and killings involving Nigerian citizens in South Africa. She stressed that voluntary evacuation arrangements for Nigerians willing to return home remain a priority for the government.

The minister also urged South African authorities to ensure that cases involving alleged attacks and extra-judicial killings of Nigerians are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. She warned that inflammatory rhetoric from anti-immigrant groups could further endanger African migrants and worsen diplomatic tensions.

Expressing concern over the growing hostility, Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that some Nigerian children and those born to Nigerian-South African families were reportedly being bullied in schools and told to “return to their country,” describing the trend as disturbing and psychologically harmful.

She further questioned whether the attacks should still be described as xenophobia, arguing that black Africans appeared to be the primary targets. According to her, the pattern of attacks suggests a form of “Afriphobia” directed specifically at African migrants.

Despite the tensions, the minister commended Nigerians living in South Africa for maintaining calm and avoiding retaliatory actions.

The development comes as more than 130 Nigerians have reportedly registered for voluntary evacuation flights following recent protests and anti-foreigner demonstrations in cities including Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban.

The Nigerian government had earlier summoned South Africa’s acting high commissioner in Abuja over the deaths of two Nigerians allegedly linked to assaults involving security personnel in the country.

Anti-foreigner protests have resurfaced in several South African communities in recent weeks, reviving concerns over recurring violence that previously strained relations between Nigeria and South Africa in past years.