The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has issued a strong advisory urging Nigerians residing in South Africa to exercise heightened caution following escalating anti-foreigner demonstrations across several parts of the country.
The warning comes on the heels of an official circular released by the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg (Ref No: CGJHB/AD/209/VOL I) dated April 22, 2026, which highlighted a surge in protests that have reportedly turned violent in key locations, including East London, Cape Town, Durban, and KwaZulu-Natal.
The unrest has been marked by incidents of looting, destruction of property, and injuries sustained by affected individuals.
According to intelligence contained in the consular advisory, additional demonstrations are expected to take place in Gauteng Province between April 27 and 29, 2026.
The planned protests are believed to be aimed at pressuring the South African government over concerns related to the presence of foreign nationals.
In response to the evolving situation, NiDCOM has called on Nigerian citizens to remain vigilant and avoid any form of confrontation with protesters.
The Commission strongly advised against engaging with demonstrators and encouraged Nigerians to stay informed by closely monitoring credible local media channels for timely updates on security developments.
Reinforcing the importance of lawful conduct, NiDCOM urged Nigerians to remain compliant with local laws and regulations at all times.
The Commission also issued specific guidance to Nigerian business owners, advising them to take precautionary measures by shutting down operations on South Africa’s Freedom Day, April 27, and to consider extending closures through April 28 and 29. This, it noted, is due to the heightened risk faced by foreign-owned businesses during periods of civil unrest.
NiDCOM expressed full support for the position of the Consul-General in Johannesburg, Ambassador Ninikanwa O. Okey-Uche, affirming that the Nigerian Consulate remains fully operational and is actively liaising with South African security agencies to safeguard Nigerian nationals.
Furthermore, the statement disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Onoh, is currently engaging with her South African counterpart as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the situation and ensure the safety of Nigerians in the country.
NiDCOM reiterated its commitment to the welfare of Nigerians in the diaspora and assured that all necessary measures are being taken to monitor developments and provide assistance where required.
The statement was signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of NiDCOM, Abuja.
