The Federal Government has said it may consider retaliatory measures against South Africa over the treatment of Nigerians living in the country, even as arrangements for the evacuation of citizens willing to return home are being finalised.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Abuja, on Monday.
Responding to a question on whether Nigeria was considering retaliation, the minister said, “Well, that is a situation that we are considering. This is up to our legislature. This is up to the highest.
“This is a decision that has to be taken at the highest level of government, but it’s not off the table.”
She said Nigeria’s position was informed by growing concerns over the alleged harassment and attacks on its citizens in South Africa.
“Nigeria is not happy with South Africa. Nigeria is not happy because Nigeria has sacrificed much for the South African struggle for independence. Nigeria sacrificed quite a lot, committed funds, committed resources to aid South Africa,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu recalled that Nigeria played a frontline role in supporting South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, including providing educational opportunities for South African students and supporting advocacy efforts against the apartheid regime.
“And Nigerians are not happy about how they have treated us,” she added.
The minister rejected claims that Nigerians affected by the situation were largely illegal migrants, insisting that many were legitimate business owners and residents.
“That is absolutely untrue. Citizens are being harassed. Citizens, their properties are being looted. Criminal actions are perpetuated on our citizens,” she said.
According to her, some Nigerians have had their businesses attacked and properties destroyed.
“People who are doing legitimate business have their shops looted. They have their shops set on fire,” she said.
On the evacuation process, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the repatriation programme remained on course despite ongoing documentation and screening procedures involving both Nigerian and South African authorities.
“Mr. President himself has reiterated the fact that this aircraft must come to South Africa. And our citizens who are imperilled will have the chance of getting on this aircraft to be brought back to their country,” she said.
The minister disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had directed the establishment of a crisis response unit within Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in South Africa to coordinate assistance for affected citizens.
She added that the evacuation exercise was being carried out in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency and other government agencies to ensure that returnees receive adequate support and rehabilitation.
The development comes after the Federal Government extended the screening exercise for Nigerians seeking evacuation from South Africa to June 10, 2026.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier disclosed that more than 500 Nigerians had been screened and cleared, while over 1,000 citizens had indicated interest in returning home.
In a related development, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated his government’s commitment to lawful migration management, stressing that violence, intimidation and xenophobia have no place in the country.
- Addressing the nation on Sunday, Ramaphosa outlined actions and behaviours he described as unacceptable, including unauthorised individuals demanding documentation or proof of nationality, blocking access to public services, and acts of violence against foreign nationals.
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