Nigeria Maintains Firm Diplomatic Position With South Africa

Nigeria has maintained a firm diplomatic position over the safety of its citizens in South Africa, insisting that stronger institutional safeguards be put in place to curb recurring xenophobic attacks before bilateral engagements can fully resume.

The stance follows repeated incidents of violence targeting Nigerians and their businesses in South Africa, prompting the Federal Government to push for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a Nigeria–South Africa Early Warning Mechanism.

The proposed framework is expected to facilitate intelligence sharing, rapid response coordination and preventive measures aimed at protecting citizens of both countries from xenophobic violence and related security threats. The mechanism has been under discussion since the two countries agreed to expedite its implementation during the 11th Nigeria–South Africa Bi-National Commission in late 2024.

Presidential aide on Foreign Affairs, Ademola Oshodi, recently warned that Nigeria would no longer tolerate attacks on its nationals in South Africa, urging Pretoria to activate the Early Warning Mechanism without further delay.

The Tinubu administration has also directed Nigerian diplomatic missions in South Africa to establish crisis notification units to assist citizens facing threats, while calling on South African authorities to investigate attacks, prosecute offenders and improve protection for foreign nationals.

The renewed diplomatic pressure comes amid lingering concerns over the welfare of Nigerians living in South Africa, where periodic outbreaks of anti-foreigner violence have strained relations between Africa’s two largest economies.

While reports have circulated suggesting that President Bola Tinubu declined to receive a South African envoy, no official confirmation of such a move has been issued by either government as of Monday.