Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal Government has officially commenced the process of documenting losses suffered by Nigerians during the recent wave of attacks in South Africa, as it prepares to formally table compensation claims before the South African government through diplomatic channels. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, disclosed this on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, after briefing President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, following the President's directive to receive South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's special envoy and Foreign Minister, Ronald Lamola.
Enikanolaiye revealed that the government has designed a comprehensive claims form for all Nigerians who lost property during the attacks, emphasising that the documentation process would provide the necessary data and evidence of losses to support Nigeria's compensation demands. "We want to proceed on the basis of data and the quantum of losses they have suffered before tabling our claims," the minister stated. He confirmed that the government had successfully evacuated approximately 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa following the attacks, with two of the evacuation batches funded by private individuals. The minister noted that some Nigerians still wished to return home and that the government was exploring additional funding options to support further evacuation operations.
President Tinubu, during the briefing, reportedly agreed with the minister's assessment that the attacks were "Afrophobic" rather than merely xenophobic, and urged African countries to confront the growing trend collectively. "The President agreed with me that it is Afrophobic and that Africa must unite in ensuring that we put an end to this spiral of violence," Enikanolaiye said. The minister also briefed the President on key commitments secured from the South African delegation, including the activation of the Nigeria-South Africa Early Warning Mechanism and the Bi-National Commission, both designed to strengthen cooperation in monitoring threats of violence, protecting citizens, and addressing consular matters. South Africa had reportedly delayed ratifying the Early Warning Mechanism agreement, but the latest engagements signal a renewed commitment to operationalising the framework.
On the issue of compensation, Enikanolaiye stressed that Nigeria would continue negotiations with South Africa while retaining other options should diplomatic efforts fail. "Nigeria has options. We are not helpless in this situation. We would prefer diplomacy and negotiations until we arrive at a mutually acceptable outcome," he declared. The minister also maintained that every Nigerian, regardless of immigration status, deserved protection under the law, stating: "Whether they are regular or irregular, they are human beings. Criminals also have a right to life. You cannot hound and kill them because they are criminals". The development comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions between Africa's two largest economies, with Nigeria insisting that South Africa must demonstrate concrete commitments and address the recurring violence against foreign nationals.
The Federal Government's decision to pursue compensation claims through diplomatic channels reflects a strategic approach aimed at securing justice for affected Nigerians while preserving the long-standing bilateral relationship between both countries. As the documentation process gets underway, affected Nigerians are expected to fill the claims forms to enable the government to formally present its demands to South African authorities. The government has assured citizens that it remains committed to protecting the rights and interests of Nigerians abroad and will continue to explore all available avenues to ensure accountability and prevent future attacks. With over 160,000 foreign nationals having left South Africa in recent months following the violence, the compensation claims process represents a critical step in addressing the material losses suffered by Nigerian victims and restoring confidence in the protection of foreign nationals in the region.
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