Nigerian govt summons South African envoy over attacks on citizens

THE Nigerian government has summoned South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Bobby Moroe, following the recent surge in xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians in the country.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed that the envoy is expected at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday for a formal engagement.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Ebienfa said the meeting is intended to formally convey Nigeria’s concerns over developments that could strain the long-standing diplomatic relations between both countries.

He added that discussions will focus on the ongoing protests in South Africa, as well as verified cases of harassment of Nigerians and attacks on their businesses.

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The ministry is also monitoring growing anger among Nigerians over the treatment of their citizens in South Africa. Reports indicate that at least two Nigerians have lost their lives since anti-foreigner tensions escalated in South Africa last month.

Amid the situation, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has called on South African authorities to ensure that those responsible for the attacks are brought to justice.

Ebienfa further urged Nigerians to remain calm, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of its citizens living in South Africa.

In a related development, Ghana has also invited South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner, Thando Dalamba, over the xenophobic incidents, including one instance in which a Ghanaian migrant was asked to return home and “fix his country.”

Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said in one incident in KwaZulu-Natal province, a Ghanaian was confronted and told to leave South Africa and ‘fix his country.

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Black South Africans are protesting that “foreigners are taking our jobs,” even though most of them are not well educated and skillful to take up thoise jobs. Labours experts say even if foreigners leave the nation as is being demanded, there is no guarantee that the jobs will be offered to a crop of individuals without skills and education.

The government hasn’t done enough. South Africa’s official unemployment rate was estimated at 31.4 percent in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025, according to Statistics South Africa, with roughly 7.8 million unemployed people.