‘What FG should do over xenophobic attacks by South Africans’

South Africa, of recent, has been boiling following xenophobic attacks by its citizens on Nigerians and other black Africans in that country.

In this report, some Nigerians tasked the Federal Government on how to address the problem.

FG should work on our leadership – Rev Jesse Tsekeh, a peace advocate; Makurdi

I have serious problems with what is happening in South Africa. But I learnt a lot from what their president said two days ago. He said, if other African leaders could fix their economy and country, people will not be going out to other countries. So, I think the best thing NiWgerian government should do is to work on our leadership. Our leadership is very bad. The government should improve. The corruption in Nigeria is too high. We need to address it.

FG should apply sanctions – Comrade Charity Kwagga, group woman leader; Makurdi

The attacks going on in South Africa is a shame because it is happening at a time when the world is beginning to give the black race the kind of attention they deserve. South Africans killing other black men in their country and telling them to leave is an insult to humanity.

Not long, Nigeria fought for the freedom of South Africans, and now, they are torturing and killing Nigerians and other Africans. This is a case of a victim who survived and turned to a bully.  Our government should make a strong statement. If it were during the time of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, he would have made a very bold statement.

President Bola Tinubu should let the South African government understand the implication of what they are doing and the sanctions that could apply. The ECOWAS should come together and see what sanctions can be given to South Africa.

Nigeria should suspend diplomatic relations with Pretoria-Luka Binniyat, spokesperson of MBF; Kaduna

Nigeria should issue South Africa a one-week ultimatum to decisively end the recurring violence; xenophobic attacks, and harassment targeted at Nigerians living there. If there is no concrete action within that period, Nigeria must immediately evacuate all its citizens from South Africa and suspend further diplomatic relations with Pretoria.  Beyond that, Nigeria should formally demand full restitution for the psychological trauma, loss of lives, destruction of property, and economic damages suffered by Nigerians over the years.

Should South Africa fail to comply within one month, Nigeria must respond firmly by deporting South African nationals residing in Nigeria and nationalising South African assets and businesses operating within the country.

FG must address internal issues pushing Nigerians into desperate migration- Rev. Emmanuel Olorunmagba, cleric; Kaduna

The Federal Government must immediately move beyond rhetoric and adopt firm, strategic, and diplomatic measures that will send a clear message that Nigerian lives matter.

‎First, the Nigerian Government must summon the South African High Commissioner and demand concrete assurances for the protection of Nigerians living and doing business in South Africa. Diplomatic relations must carry responsibilities, not mere ceremonial handshakes.

‎Secondly, Nigeria should immediately engage the African Union (AU) and regional blocs to establish enforceable continental mechanisms against xenophobia and ethnic violence within Africa. Africa cannot preach unity while Africans are being hunted by fellow Africans.

Thirdly, the Federal Government must create a rapid-response protection and evacuation framework for Nigerians facing emergencies abroad. Many victims of xenophobic violence often feel abandoned and helpless during crises.

Furthermore, the Nigerian Government must pursue economic diplomacy with courage. Nigeria remains one of Africa’s largest markets, and the country possesses significant economic leverage. Bilateral relations should reflect mutual respect and protection of citizens on both sides.

Nigeri should activate evacuation, emergency support protocols for citizens at risk -Emmanuel Nlewedum, journalist; Port Harcourt

The Federal Government should pursue a firm diplomatic response by summoning the South African High Commissioner to formally protest the attacks and demand immediate protection for Nigerians and other Africans.

This should be backed by engagement through the African Union and ECOWAS, to pressure South Africa into enforcing its laws, prosecuting perpetrators, and implementing clear measures to prevent recurrence. At the same time, Nigeria should activate evacuation and emergency support protocols for citizens at risk, in coordination with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria.

Secondly, the government should strengthen economic and cultural diplomacy to reduce tensions, including reviewing bilateral trade and investment agreements to ensure reciprocity and mutual benefit. Domestically, it should run targeted sensitisation campaigns to counter retaliatory sentiment and support affected Nigerians with legal aid, rehabilitation, and reintegration assistance. Consistent, measured action on both fronts shows Nigeria will protect its citizens without escalating regional instability.

Our government should make Nigeria good place for all Nigerians to live – Jackson Ojo, security expert; Port Harcourt

If the town is peaceful, no one would choose the forest as the best place of abode. Our government should at all time perform humanly well to make Nigeria a good place for all Nigerians to live. If security of lives and properties are dependable, if economic situation here is good, education is good, health and social services are good, not many people would take South Africa as a place of choice.

The South Africa has so many businesses here and they are not afraid to attack Nigerians in their own country, at least they should have been thinking of reprisal attack here. But, they know that we would never do anything here against their business interests because we have no alternatives to what they have here. We are almost dependent on their telecommunications here. Nigerian government should quickly see what they can do in the interim to appeal through diplomatic connections to allow our citizens to remain unmolested in the South Africa. But, the long term solution is to revive our security, economy and to create an enabling environment for small, medium and large scale businesses to thrive.

FG should mount high level, continental pressure – Eberechukwu Odunze; peace and security advocate; Benin

To address the recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa, the Federal Government of Nigeria should transit from standard diplomatic protests to a strategy of high level accountability and continental pressure. This involves leading a coalition within the African Union to isolate South Africa on key matters and activating the African Peer Review Mechanism to address its failure to protect migrants.

By demanding reparations, enforceable safeguards, and a judicial commission monitored by international observers, Nigeria can ensure that perpetrators face genuine criminal prosecution rather than administrative leniency.

Furthermore, Nigeria must demonstrate that the safety of its citizens is a non-negotiable condition for bilateral trade.

On a broader scale, the government should champion the enforcement of African human rights laws while investing in the Diaspora protection policies and advocacy campaigns that promote continental unity and lawful migration.

FG should shift from ad hoc diplomatic responses to a structured, replicable protection system – Solomon Okoduwa, rights activist; Benin

There should be a formal protocol between Nigeria and South Africa for real-time intelligence sharing, coordinated police protection, and citizen evacuation when threats emerge.

This mechanism should include a joint task force, monthly threat reviews, dedicated hotlines, and a public 48-hour response commitment.

Such a framework aligns with UN General Assembly Res. 71/179 and it gives both states measurable accountability. I also urge the federal government to create a Nigeria Diaspora Protection Fund to cover medical, legal, and relocation costs for victims of violence abroad, and to deploy mobile consular officers in high-risk provinces like Gauteng and Eastern Cape.

FG should repatriate Nigerians willing to return – Ebipuado Sapere-Obi, lecturer; Yenagoa

Regarding the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa, firstly, this is a problem of leadership in South Africa and, in this case, economic leadership. South Africans are reacting to the government’s failed promises and harsh economic realities.  They, therefore see foreigners, especially Nigerians, as people who are coming to take away from them the economic opportunities that may exist.

Nigeria government should do two things. Firstly, it should move immediately to protect its citizens. That is the duty of any government to protect its citizens. That means that they have to set in motion, to repatriate those willing to come back home and provide some kind of transition for them. It would not be enough to bring them and just dump them at the airport. There have to be some provisions that allow them to reintegrate them back home.

Secondly, the Nigerian government should see that its own failure is also leading to the mass exodus of Nigerians, not just to South Africa, but also to other destinations.  If Nigeria were working the way it ought to, it is not likely that so many Nigerians would be leaving the shores of this country in search of better livelihood.