Nigeria and South Africa have begun fresh diplomatic discussions over the recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa, following President Bola Tinubu’s decision to direct a visiting South African delegation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs instead of receiving them personally.
The delegation, led by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, met on Monday with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, after President Tinubu instructed that the talks be handled at the ministerial level.
Receiving the delegation, Enikanolaiye said Tinubu specifically directed him to discuss ways of resolving the crisis while preserving the long-standing relationship between both countries.
“It is with profound pleasure that I welcome our brothers from South Africa. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had actually asked us to meet with you and exchange views and perspectives on how to address and resolve the ongoing Afrophobic attacks in South Africa, of which Nigerians, and other citizens of Africa, have been victims,” he said.
The minister expressed concern over what he described as a disturbing pattern of attacks spanning several decades.
“We have seen a pattern emerge as early as 1995, 1998, 2006, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024 and 2026. It is on record that from 2022 alone, 98 Nigerians have died in mob actions, in hate-related actions that we have called Afrophobia, because we found that the preponderant victims of this ugly situation are Africans and Nigerians in particular,” Enikanolaiye said.
He reminded the delegation of Nigeria’s historical support for South Africa during the struggle against apartheid, describing the continued attacks as inconsistent with the relationship both countries have built over the years.
While reiterating Nigeria’s opposition to criminal activities, he stressed that anyone accused of wrongdoing should be prosecuted through lawful procedures rather than subjected to mob violence.
“If someone is, quote-unquote, a criminal for drug trafficking, there are rules, there are regulations for when they are arrested, prosecuted, and jailed.
“The Nigerian government will not support drug peddlers, but please, what we’re saying is that treat them in accordance with your constitution, in accordance with international human rights instruments, in accordance with the minimum requirement of humanity.
“But what we have found is that this xenophobic act has gone beyond the attack on criminals. We have records of Nigerians who have a legitimate purpose to remain in South Africa, yet they have been attacked.
“We could see some mob actions, where we saw the police watching, as if they are helpless to address this situation, which to us raises issues of state responsibility. It raises issues of complicity. If the state authorities are not able or unwilling to tackle these challenges,” he added.
Enikanolaiye also recalled the emotional impact of previous evacuation efforts carried out by Nigeria.
“The last batch of evacuees we moved from there, we had almost 1,500 of our nationals. It was not a pleasant experience.
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“I shed tears in the plane when I saw children, women, the elderly returning home almost with nothing. Some of them, their properties have been looted. Some of them have been destroyed,” he said.
Responding on behalf of President Ramaphosa, Lamola said he had been sent to reaffirm South Africa’s opposition to xenophobia and intolerance.
“We have been outspoken against any intolerance, including xenophobia, racism, homophobia, violence, discrimination directed at individuals within our borders,” Lamola said.
He maintained, however, that South Africa would continue enforcing its immigration laws while tackling criminal activities.
“President Ramaphosa has also been very firm on South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce immigration laws, including to deal decisively with irregular migration, undocumented immigrants, including acts of criminality that is sometimes committed within our borders,” he said.
Lamola described migration as a continental issue requiring joint solutions.
“We believe that Nigeria and South Africa have a shared responsibility to respond to these challenges within the African continent of migration. Across the continent, migration remains a huge challenge that all of us have to work together to address,” he added.
He expressed optimism that continued dialogue would help both countries ease tensions and strengthen bilateral relations.
Relations between Nigeria and South Africa have come under renewed strain following a fresh wave of xenophobic violence that erupted in April 2026, forcing hundreds of Nigerians to return home and prompting Abuja to warn that tougher diplomatic measures remained under consideration.