Story perspectives

Nigeria Repatriates 130 Citizens Amid SA Xenophobia Crisis

5/4/2026

Summary

Odumegwu-Ojukwu Repatriates

Nigeria's Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu announced the voluntary repatriation of 130 citizens from South Africa after anti-immigration protests.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu met South Africa’s acting high commissioner to express profound concern over the xenophobic violence.
South Africa’s Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola phone-called Odumegwu-Ojukwu to discuss challenges of irregular migration.
South African officials condemned the attacks and pledged crackdowns on xenophobic acts.
The government said it will monitor protests in Pretoria and Johannesburg.

Summary

Nigeria Alerts Violence

Nigeria and South Africa signed a memorandum of understanding that creates a system to alert citizens during xenophobic violence spikes.
The Nigerian government warned that xenophobic attacks, used by anti-foreigner parties to mobilise voters, coincide with election cycles.
Nigerian diaspora groups in South Africa are compiling citizen lists for the voluntary repatriation programme.
Security coordination between the Nigerian High Commission and South African authorities will intensify for protests on May 4-8, 2026.

Summary

Ramaphosa Condemns

Two Nigerian nationals, Kelvin Chidiebere Amaramuiro and Ekpenyong Andrew, died after military assaults in South Africa’s anti-immigrant unrest.
President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the attacks and warned people to obey local laws.
Police Minister Firoz Cachalia pledged xenophobic violence would not be tolerated.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern and called for an end to violence.
Ghana, Ethiopia and Nigeria lodged diplomatic protests over South Africa’s migrant safety handling.

Summary

Nigeria Urges Closures

Ninikanwa Okey-Uche warned Nigerians to avoid demonstrators and urged shop owners to close during the anti-foreigner rally.
Invitations urge participants in all nine provinces to demand action against foreigners, showing a coordinated nationwide mobilization.
President Bola Tinubu ordered close monitoring of South African unrest, signaling high-level attention beyond the foreign ministry.
Authorities warned foreign-owned enterprises could be soft targets and advised Nigerian businesses to suspend operations during the protests.

History

Historical Context

South Africa’s first major xenophobic wave erupted on 12 May 2008 in Alexandra, killing 62 people and prompting President Jacob Zuma to order a security response. Repeated spikes—such as the 2019 Johannesburg riots that saw 640 Nigerians sign up for repatriation—led Nigeria and South Africa to sign a 2026 memorandum establishing a bilateral alert system for future anti-immigrant unrest.

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Odumegwu-Ojukwu Repatriates

Nigeria's Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu announced the voluntary repatriation of 130 citizens from South Africa after anti-immigration protests.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu met South Africa’s acting high commissioner to express profound concern over the xenophobic violence.
South Africa’s Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola phone-called Odumegwu-Ojukwu to discuss challenges of irregular migration.
South African officials condemned the attacks and pledged crackdowns on xenophobic acts.
The government said it will monitor protests in Pretoria and Johannesburg.

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