Stay Inside South Africa, Nigeria Tells Citizens as Anti Foreigner Protests Erupt

Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.

The Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg has issued a public advisory warning Nigerian nationals in South Africa about planned nationwide anti foreigner demonstrations scheduled for May 4, 2026, urging citizens to avoid confrontation and consider temporarily closing their businesses as tensions escalate across the continent‘s most industrialized economy. The notice, signed by the Consul General, Ambassador Ninikanwa Okey Uche, was released on Sunday, May 3, following intelligence that anti foreigner movements have circulated invitations urging all South Africans to participate in a nationwide shutdown across all nine provinces to press the government to take action against foreigners in the country. According to the advisory, organisers of the demonstrations allege that foreigners are benefiting more from the country than citizens and are calling for both documented and undocumented migrants to leave South Africa as a matter of urgency. The groups plan a march on the same day to remove the foreigners from the country, with Johannesburg‘s gathering location designated as Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, where demonstrators are expected to assemble between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., with a memorandum scheduled to be presented around noon.

The consulate has warned that significant disruptions are expected, particularly in central business districts across major cities including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, and Durban. While the protest is intended to be national, the consulate noted that clear gathering points have not been identified for most cities outside Johannesburg. Nigerian nationals have been strongly advised to avoid engaging any demonstrators or confronting them, and to monitor local media while adopting necessary safety precautions. Nigerian business owners have been specifically urged to consider closing their shops during the duration of the march, as there are no guarantees that the protests will be peaceful, and foreign owned businesses are expected to become soft targets for demonstrators. The consulate reassured citizens that it remains available to discharge all consular services to Nigerian nationals while continuing to seek ways to protect them, adding that South African law enforcement agencies have been informed of the planned march and the need to protect foreign nationals and their interests.

The advisory comes amid rising xenophobic tensions that have already claimed lives and displaced countless others. Reports indicate that about 130 Nigerians have already registered for voluntary repatriation flights being arranged by the Federal Government as citizens seek to return home amid the deteriorating security situation. Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, in a situation report via her X handle on Sunday, confirmed that the evacuation plan follows directives from President Bola Tinubu, who has ordered heightened monitoring of the situation and stronger protection for Nigerians abroad. The minister noted that another wave of demonstrations is expected between May 4 and 8, 2026, prompting intensified diplomatic and security coordination between both countries. She disclosed that Nigeria recently signed a memorandum of understanding with South Africa on early warning protocols to protect citizens of both countries, especially in times such as these. The evacuation figure is expected to rise as more citizens seek assistance to return home, with Nigerian associations in South Africa assisting the mission.

President Bola Tinubu has expressed grave concern over the situation, ordering close monitoring of unfolding events following a briefing on the series of anti foreigner protests targeted at Nigerians in select South African cities in recent weeks. In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the President said he was saddened by the death of two Nigerians in recent incidents and described the violence as utterly condemnable and unacceptable. The President called for more effective control of the situation by relevant host security services and reiterated that the priority at this time remains the safety of Nigerian citizens. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned South Africa‘s acting High Commissioner to a meeting on Monday, May 4, to formally convey Nigeria‘s profound concern regarding recent events that have the potential to impact the established cordial relations between the two continental powers. The meeting will focus on ongoing demonstrations and documented instances of mistreatment of Nigerian citizens and attacks on their businesses in parts of South Africa.

The protests are being spearheaded by anti illegal immigration movements including March and March and Operation Dudula, which have drawn support from political parties such as ActionSA, the Inkatha Freedom Party, and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party. Similar demonstrations in recent weeks have already forced many foreign owned businesses to shut down amid fears of looting and violence. On April 29, hundreds of protesters marched through Johannesburg demanding stricter immigration enforcement, tighter border controls, and the deportation of undocumented migrants. ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba, who joined the protest, declared that the government had failed for years to address illegal immigration and border security, warning that government inaction could worsen public anger and insecurity. March and March founder Jacinta Ngobese Zuma told protesters that the movement wanted the government to deport all undocumented foreign nationals and strengthen oversight of immigration documentation, also accusing corrupt police officers and officials of enabling illegal migration. The protesters‘ memorandum called for tighter visa regulations, reforms to asylum policies, sanctions against businesses employing undocumented migrants, and restrictions on services for illegal immigrants.

The South African government has struggled to contain the wave of xenophobic violence while acknowledging legitimate concerns over illegal migration. Acting police minister Feroz Cachalia has condemned violence against migrants, calling such acts unlawful and a violation of the country‘s constitutional values of dignity and equality. President Cyril Ramaphosa has repeatedly condemned xenophobia, reminding South Africans of the critical support other African nations provided during the struggle against apartheid. However, appeals for restraint have done little to stem the violence or address the underlying political dynamics. South Africa remains the most industrialized economy on the continent, hosting approximately 2.4 million migrants, representing nearly four percent of the population. Yet with an unemployment rate exceeding 30 percent, migrants have become easy scapegoats for economic frustrations. Analysts warn that xenophobia is being deliberately inflamed for political advantage as South Africa edges closer to the 2026 local government elections, with anti migrant rhetoric becoming a potent political tool.

The diplomatic stakes are exceptionally high. Nigeria and Ghana have now both summoned South African envoys to protest attacks on their citizens. Ghana‘s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has confirmed that a Ghanaian resident in South Africa was reportedly told to leave and fix his own country, with some foreigners including Ghanaians advised to stay indoors for their safety. The UN Secretary General has expressed deep concern by reports of xenophobic attacks and acts of harassment and intimidation against migrants and foreign nationals, stating that violence, vigilantism and all forms of incitement to hatred have no place in an inclusive, democratic society governed by the rule of law and respect for human rights. For the Nigerian community in South Africa, the situation has become unbearable. Smart Nwobi, President General of the Nigeria Union South Africa, confirmed that Nigerians are still under panic following the xenophobic attacks, with most Nigerian owned businesses unable to open their shops. Nigerian businesses have been looted and shops set ablaze in the past, and most victims did not get compensation. The union has commended the government for the recent summon of the South African High Commissioner and hopes for a fruitful outcome, but for now, thousands of Nigerians across South Africa remain in their homes, watching the news, and praying for a return to normalcy.

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