Nigeria Demands Reparations After Afrophobic Attacks in South Africa

The Government of Nigeria is seeking reparations and justice for its citizens following a wave of Afrophobic attacks in South Africa. The violence, driven by protests and vigilante groups demanding undocumented foreigners leave by June 30, 2026, has led to the evacuation of approximately 1,490 Nigerians. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sola Enikanolaiye has implemented a data-collection process to quantify property losses for upcoming compensation claims.

Diplomatic tensions have escalated as Nigerian High Commissioner-Designate Femi Fani-Kayode condemned the South African Police Service for the alleged torture and killing of Nigerians. Fani-Kayode reported that at least 90 Nigerians have been killed by security forces and mobs since 2022, including six deaths in 2026. This includes a documented case in Cape Town where a Nigerian national was allegedly beaten to death.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has characterized the violence as Afrophobic and directed the government to pursue concrete steps to end the killings. While President Tinubu recently declined to receive a special envoy from President Cyril Ramaphosa, Nigeria is attempting to stabilize relations by activating the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission and an early warning mechanism. Minister Enikanolaiye stated that while Nigeria prefers diplomacy and negotiations, all other options remain on the table if these efforts fail.