Nigeria: Nigeria weighs retaliatory measures against South Africa over xenophobic attacks

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

The Federal Government of Nigeria has signaled that it is considering retaliatory measures against South Africa in response to a fresh wave of xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerian citizens, as Abuja moves to evacuate thousands of Nigerians who wish to return home.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made this known on June 9 2026, while addressing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Her remarks come as Nigeria prepares repatriation flights for over 1,000 Nigerians stranded in South Africa following violent assaults on African migrants, with Nigerians among the most affected.

Nigeria had scheduled repatriation flights for June 9 to begin bringing home Nigerians who want to leave South Africa. However, the evacuation has been delayed due to ongoing documentation and screening exercises being carried out in cooperation with South African authorities.

According to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the screening of more than 1,000 Nigerian citizens in South Africa began last Thursday and was initially expected to conclude on Saturday. The process involves verifying identities, travel documents, and security checks before clearance for evacuation. The minister said arrangements to evacuate willing returnees are now being finalized, but did not provide a new date for the flights.

The delay highlights the logistical and diplomatic complexities involved in mass evacuations, especially when coordination with the host country is required. Nigerian officials have stressed that the process is being handled carefully to ensure the safety and legal compliance of all returnees.

When asked directly whether Nigeria would consider restricting privileges for South Africans in Nigeria as a form of retaliation, Odumegwu-Ojukwu did not rule it out. 

“Well, that is a situation that we are considering,” she said. “This is up to our legislature. This is a decision that has to be taken at the highest level of government. But it’s not off the table.”

The minister’s comments mark one of the strongest public warnings from the Nigerian government in response to xenophobic violence in South Africa in recent years. She made it clear that Abuja is unhappy with the treatment of Nigerians, noting that the attacks appear to be targeting black African migrants rather than migrants generally.

“Nigeria is not happy because Nigeria has sacrificed much for the South African struggle for independence,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated. “Nigeria sacrificed quite a lot, committed funds, committed resources to aid South Africa. In schools, seats were reserved for South African students.

The minister invoked Nigeria’s long-standing support for South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, a point frequently raised by Nigerian officials when relations with Pretoria sour. During the apartheid era, Nigeria was a leading voice in the global campaign to isolate South Africa’s white minority government. 

Nigeria imposed economic sanctions, provided financial and diplomatic support to liberation movements like the African National Congress, and reserved university scholarships for South African students. Civil society groups in Nigeria also held protests and demonstrations against apartheid, with some activists, including members of Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s generation, arrested for their involvement.

“Nigeria is a serious frontline state, and Nigerians are not happy about how they have been treated,” the minister said. “They are not asking other migrants to leave; they’re only asking black migrants to leave.”

This distinction underscores the perception in Abuja that the violence is racially targeted, adding to diplomatic tensions between the two African powers.

The current crisis is not the first time Nigeria and South Africa have clashed over xenophobic attacks. Previous outbreaks in 2015, 2017, and 2019 led to diplomatic protests, business reprisals, and temporary withdrawal of ambassadors. Nigerian businesses in South Africa and South African companies in Nigeria have often borne the brunt of retaliatory actions by citizens angered by the violence.

The attacks typically flare up amid economic hardship, unemployment, and competition for jobs and informal trade opportunities in South Africa. Migrants from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and other African countries are often scapegoated, despite evidence that they contribute to local economies.

This latest wave has again forced the Nigerian government to balance diplomatic engagement with domestic pressure to act decisively. Public anger in Nigeria has been amplified on social media, with calls for boycotts of South African businesses such as MTN, Shoprite, and Multichoice.

While Odumegwu-Ojukwu stopped short of announcing concrete measures, her statement that retaliation “is not off the table” opens several possibilities. These could include:

 Recall of Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, or expulsion of South African diplomats from Abuja.

 Restrictions on South Africa

companies operating in Nigeria, or review of trade agreements under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Tightening visa requirements for South African nationals or suspending certain privileges granted under bilateral agreements.

The National Assembly could pass resolutions mandating government action or imposing sanctions, as the minister noted the decision would require legislative input.

Any retaliatory step would carry risks, given the deep economic ties between the two countries. South Africa is one of Nigeria’s largest trading partners in Africa, and Nigerian banks, telecoms, and airlines have significant investments in South Africa. Conversely, South African firms like MTN, Standard Bank, and Shoprite have a major presence in Nigeria.

For Nigerians living in South Africa, the situation remains tense. Many have reported attacks on shops, homes, and individuals, with some forced into displacement camps. The Nigerian community in South Africa is one of the largest African migrant populations in the country, with many involved in trade, services, and professional sectors.

The repatriation effort is intended for those who feel unsafe or wish to return voluntarily. Nigerian missions in South Africa have been working with community leaders to identify and assist affected citizens.

Despite the strong rhetoric, Nigerian officials have also called for calm and urged South African authorities to protect all migrants and bring perpetrators to justice. The African Union and other regional bodies are expected to intervene to mediate and prevent further escalation.

South Africa’s government has previously condemned xenophobic violence and pledged to protect foreign nationals, but critics argue that enforcement has been inconsistent and that political rhetoric sometimes fuels anti-foreigner sentiment.

As screening continues and repatriation flights are rescheduled, Nigeria’s next move will depend on the outcome of diplomatic discussions and the scale of the attacks. The involvement of the National Assembly suggests that any retaliatory action will be carefully considered to balance national pride, citizen protection, and economic interests.

For now, the Federal Government has made its position clear: Nigeria will not tolerate the targeting of its citizens abroad, and South Africa’s historical debt to Nigeria’s support for its freedom struggle will not be forgotten.