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Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, has strongly condemned the mistreatment and harassment of Nigerians in South Africa, dismissing claims that the victims were illegal migrants. These remarks come amid the new wave of xenophobic violence and anti-foreigner protests in South Africa that specifically targeted black immigrants, including Nigerian national residents, their businesses, and families.
Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, has strongly condemned the mistreatment and harassment of Nigerians in South Africa, dismissing claims that the victims were illegal migrants. She made this known during a media briefing after a diplomatic courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa on Monday, June 8, 2026.
These remarks come amid the new wave of xenophobic violence and anti-foreigner protests in South Africa that specifically targeted black immigrants, including Nigerian national residents, their businesses, and families. The violence has led to the death of two Nigerians— Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew, who were reportedly attacked and beaten by officials of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in Port Elizabeth. Even Nigerian children were actively prevented from attending classes.
“Our citizens are being harassed. Our citizens’ properties are being looted. Criminal actions are being perpetrated, and the police refuse to do anything. The South African government has not come out strongly and firmly enough to condemn these incidents,” the Minister says.
Referencing the significant roles Nigeria made for South Africa’s struggle against apartheid between the 1960s and 1990s. Bianca expressed that the Federal government is displeased with the South African government’s failure to respond firmly to the crisis and dismissed the claims that the attacks were directed at undocumented migrants.
“To say that Nigerians who are in South Africa doing legitimate business are illegal migrants is absolutely untrue. People who are doing legitimate business have their shops looted, their shops set on fire. Children cannot go to school because they are intimidated in their schools,” she added.
On the question of Nigeria’s retaliatory measures to the crisis, the minister disclosed that the government is considering the suspension or review of privileges currently enjoyed by South African businesses and nationals in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the government is preparing to repatriate 1,000 Nigerians from South Africa. The first flight was postponed to Wednesday, June 10, 2026, due to unforeseen logistics considerations and an extended screening timeline to accommodate more Nigerians.
