Nigeria Summons South African Diplomat

Nigeria summoned South Africa's acting high commissioner over recent attacks on foreigners in South Africa, with a meeting scheduled for Monday to convey profound concern over incidents that could affect relations between the countries. The meeting will focus on recent marches by anti-immigrant groups and documented instances of mistreatment of Nigerian citizens and attacks on their businesses, according to a Nigeria foreign ministry statement.

At least two Nigerians and four Ethiopians have been killed in South Africa in recent weeks, local media reported.

The Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg issued a security advisory to Nigerians in South Africa on Sunday, signed by Consul General Ambassador Ninikanwa Okey-Uche. The advisory was issued ahead of planned nationwide anti-foreigner protests scheduled for May 4, 2026, across South Africa's nine provinces.

The planned protests aim to pressure the South African government to take action against foreign nationals residing in the country, according to the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg.

Organizers of the protests allege that foreigners are benefiting disproportionately from South Africa's resources and are calling for both documented and undocumented migrants to leave South Africa, the consulate stated. m. , with a memorandum expected to be presented around noon, the consulate added.

Disruptions may occur in major cities including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, and Durban during the protests, according to the consulate. Nigerian authorities urged citizens to remain calm, avoid confrontation, and take necessary safety precautions during the protest period.

"All Nigerian nationals are strongly advised to avoid engaging or confronting demonstrators," the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg stated.

Nigerian business owners are advised to consider temporarily closing their shops during the demonstrations, as foreign-owned businesses could become potential targets, the consulate said. The consulate will continue to provide consular support and work with South African authorities to ensure the safety of Nigerian citizens and their property.

South African law enforcement agencies have been notified of the protests and are expected to deploy measures to maintain order and protect foreign nationals, according to the consulate.

About 130 Nigerians have registered for voluntary repatriation flights arranged by the Federal Government of Nigeria, reports indicated. A 'March and March' demonstration occurred in Johannesburg in April, calling for all illegal foreign immigrants to leave South Africa. Anti-immigrant groups have stopped people outside hospitals and schools in South Africa demanding to see their identity papers.

A march by an anti-immigrant group occurred in Pretoria last week, during which foreign-owned businesses were urged to close due to potential violence. One Nigerian man stated to BBC Pidgin that the situation is not okay because Nigerians and South Africans are brothers and everybody comes to South Africa to survive.

A security guard stated to the BBC that the protests are not what was expected as fellow Africans and that they are making people scared in their own African continent; the security guard was unable to go to work because of the protest.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the attacks on foreigners and cautioned foreigners to respect local laws. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a Freedom Day address last week, marking South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994, in which he reminded South Africans of support from other African nations in the struggle against apartheid.

Ghana summoned South Africa's top envoy last month after a video showed a Ghanaian man being challenged to prove his immigration papers.

Anti-immigrant sentiment rose earlier this year after reports that the head of the Nigerian community in KuGompo had been installed in a traditional role translated as 'king'; KuGompo was formerly known as East London. 4 million migrants, which is just less than 4% of the population, according to official figures.

Most migrants in South Africa come from neighbouring countries such as Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, with a smaller number from Nigeria.