The Presidency has urged Nigerians living in South Africa to remain vigilant, stay connected with diplomatic authorities, and ensure they are fully aware of their rights amid renewed anti-immigrant protests in parts of the country.
Presidential Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Demola Oshodi, said the government is closely monitoring developments and has already taken steps to safeguard Nigerians affected by the unrest.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday night, Oshodi said the administration of President Bola Tinubu is actively engaged with South African authorities and other international partners to prevent escalation while prioritising the safety of Nigerians abroad.
He noted that the government has already begun evacuation efforts for vulnerable citizens, stressing that diplomatic engagement remains ongoing at multiple levels.
“The government is really, really on top of things. We have moved out hundreds of the most vulnerable Nigerians from South Africa. We’ve escalated this to the South African government, and we are taking steps to do more,” he said.
He stated that while tensions remain, Nigeria is deliberately pursuing a cautious diplomatic approach rather than drastic action.
“We cannot, and we should not, move to extreme measures at this moment. The African Union is there, and other international bodies are involved. We have to do things incrementally,” he said.
According to him, both countries share deep economic and historical ties that must be considered in handling the situation.
“There is a lot of vested interest in both countries. There’s a lot of investment in both countries, and we also have a history together. We are the two largest economies in Africa, so it is important to take things incrementally. We don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater,” he added.
Oshodi said the government is closely watching developments around the expiry of a deadline reportedly issued in relation to protest actions, expressing hope that South African authorities will take stronger steps to protect foreign nationals.
“Today is the 30th deadline they’ve given, and we are watching to see how much the South African government is taking steps to protect our nationals,” he noted.
He also stressed the importance of Nigerians in South Africa maintaining a low profile while tensions persist, and ensuring they remain in constant contact with Nigerian diplomatic missions.
“We need to ensure Nigerians there are fully aware of their rights, that they know how to get in touch and have been in touch with the Nigerian diplomatic community in case of any emergency or evacuation. They’ve also been advised to keep a low profile while things are resolved,” he added.
