***Fani-Kayode redeployed to SA as High Commissioner
The Federal Government on Thursday demanded immediate action from its South African counterpart on the ‘’systematic harassment, humiliation and extra-judicial killings of Nigerians’’ in the former apartheid enclave.
The government told the South African authorities that it would not sit back and watch the development in which Nigerians and other black Africans are the main targets.
To show its seriousness, the government said it had resolved to commence the evacuation of Nigerians willing to return home. It also announced the establishment of a Crisis Notification Unit for Nigerians to contact security authorities in South Africa when in danger.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who personally ordered the unit, also reassigned Femi Fani-Kayode from Germany to South Africa as High Commissioner-designate.
Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu conveyed Nigeria’s displeasure with the Xenophobic attacks to her South African counterpart, Ronald Lamola, during a telephone conversation.
Locals in South Africa operating under Operation Dudula, have since late last month, been conducting marches, raids on businesses, and forcing the closure of shops owned by foreign nationals, especially black Africans. They accuse both documented and undocumented African migrants of denying them jobs, causing crimes and putting strain on public infrastructure.
In a post on her X handle, Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu, whose ministry had on Monday summoned the South African High Commissioner Thamsanqa Mseleku to a meeting in Abuja, explained that the South African government expressed concern over the planned evacuation of Nigerians from their country by the Federal Government.
The minister added that the Federal Government was also peeved that attacks appear to be ‘Afriphobia’ rather than Xenophobia,” going by the fact that only black Africans are targeted.
Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu added that she made it clear to Lamola that it was unfortunate that ‘’Nigerian children as well as children born of both Nigerian and South African parents (referred to as ‘Sougerians’ ) are being wrongfully bullied in schools and taunted to ‘return to their country.’
She wrote: “This (yesterday) morning, I had a phone conversation with Hon. Ronald Lamola, South Africa foreign Affairs minister who expressed concern and misgivings concerning the plans by the government of Nigeria to evacuate its citizens desirous of leaving the Republic of South Africa due to the ongoing Xenophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments openly expressed during continuing anti-migrant protests in South Africa, the latest of which took place in Durban, on 6th May 2026.
“I maintained that our government cannot stand by and watch the systematic harassment and humiliation of our nationals resident in SA as well as the extra-judicial killings of our people, and that the evacuation of our citizens who want to return home remains our government’s priority at this time.
“I also highlighted the need for their police and justice systems to take the cases on the ground of extra-judicial killings of Nigerians in South Africa more seriously, and that there should be clear and immediate consequences for such acts.
“Our discussions also centred on the violent and indiscriminate rhetoric and actions of South Africa’s anti-foreigner political parties, which put the lives and properties of Nigerian and other nationals at risk, but which conversely might also have the effect of jeopardising the safety of South African interests in Nigeria.
‘’Nigerians have exercised, and continue to demonstrate commendable restraint, in their response to the ongoing crisis.
“I also brought to his attention, having engaged with some of our nationals resident with their families in South Africa, the unfortunate fact that Nigerian children, as well as children born of both Nigerian and South African parents (referred to as ‘Sougerians’ ) are being wrongfully bullied in schools and taunted to ‘return to their country’.
‘’This is reprehensible and capable of causing trauma to young minds for whom such incidents may remain etched in their memory.”
The minister quoted her counterpart as having assured that the South African authorities recognised that it is their responsibility to protect lives.
“Hon. Lamola informed that the SA authorities recognise that they have a responsibility to protect these innocent children and are doing their utmost through education supervisory bodies to discourage these practices,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
She, however, explained that both countries agreed to de-escalate the crisis.
She said: “While we both pledged to continue to work together to de-escalate this crisis, noting the vehement condemnations of the President of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa and South Africa’s Government of the prevailing state of affairs, what is worrisome to our citizens both in Nigeria and those resident in South Africa is that the demand that all foreigners leave South Africa, appears to be targeted only towards black Africans which makes one wonder whether what is happening should not be more accurately defined as ‘Afriphobia’ rather than Xenophobia.”
The minister, who said no Nigerian was attacked during Wednesday’s protest, stated that Nigerians were advised to close their shops.
According to her, “Yesterday’s(Wednesday) protests in Durban did not record acts of violence as there was a heavy security presence. However, Nigerians were advised to close their shops and businesses and stay largely indoors by the Mission.”
Fani-Kayode redeployed as High Commissioner in S/Africa
Fani-Kayode, a former Aviation minister, explained that his posting to South Africa by President Tinubu was at his instance.
Fani-Kayode said in a statement that he made a formal representation to the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, that he was not comfortable with the Republic of Germany for several personal reasons.
Fani-Kayode said he had lived in Europe most of his life and would prefer to go to South Africa because it is a country he has so much interest in, but has never been to.
He stated that he prefers to serve in a country that shares some of his convictions, beliefs and values when it comes to world affairs, and one with the biggest economy in Africa, which has closer ties to Nigeria.
His statement partly reads: “It gives me pleasure to announce the fact that Mr President has graciously approved my posting as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa.
“This came a few days after the initial posting to Germany was announced and after I made a formal representation to the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, that I was not comfortable with Germany for many personal reasons.
“I, therefore, made an application for redeployment to South Africa two days after the initial announcement was made, and I am pleased to say that after the then Foreign Minister (H.E. Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar) heard my reasons, he considered them favourably, after which he conveyed the request to Mr President, who graciously approved it. ‘
Fani-Kayode thanked Senator Sam Enang, who he said was originally posted to South Africa but was pleased to go to Germany instead.
He described as ‘fake’ the initial report by an online magazine that his initial posting to Germany was rejected by the European country.
The former minister added that he had briefed his ‘’lawyers to take up the matter’’ for ‘’suing them in a civil action for defamation.’’
