Nigeria Considers Retaliation Against South Africa Over Xenophobia

Nigerian Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu addressing the South Africa xenophobia crisis

The Federal Government is sounding a very serious warning. Nigeria may soon hit back at South Africa over the ongoing ill-treatment of its citizens. The option of retaliation is now firmly on the table.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made this clear while speaking with journalists in Abuja. She said the government is actively considering retaliatory steps. While this decision rests with the legislature and the highest levels of government, she stressed that retaliation is absolutely not off the table.

Abuja is deeply hurt by this crisis. The minister reminded everyone of Nigeria's massive sacrifices during South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle. Nigeria spent money, shared resources, and reserved school seats for South African students.

She recalled how her generation protested and even got arrested fighting for South Africa's freedom. To see Nigerians hunted down today, after all that sacrifice, is a very bitter pill to swallow.

The situation in South Africa is dire. Law-abiding Nigerians are watching their shops looted and burned. The local police have failed to protect them.

This latest wave of violence started during anti-immigration protests between April 27 and 29, 2026. With South Africa's unemployment rate sitting above 30 percent, foreigners have sadly become easy targets for frustrated locals.

Frank Onyekwelu, who leads the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, confirmed that many Nigerians have been forced to shut down their businesses entirely.

Many Nigerians simply want out. The Federal Government is stepping up to bring them home. So far, over 1,000 citizens have asked to return. More than 500 have already been screened and cleared for travel.

The screening process, which is being done alongside South African authorities, has been extended to June 10. The first repatriation flights were delayed because of paperwork, but President Bola Tinubu is committed to ensuring a dignified return for everyone involved.

Lawmakers in Nigeria are also furious. The Senate is sending a high-level delegation, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to tackle the issue.

The House of Representatives wants even tougher action. They are calling for a total review of bilateral ties. Some lawmakers have even suggested a temporary suspension of business permits for South African companies operating in Nigeria.

Back in Pretoria, President Cyril Ramaphosa has tried to calm the waters. He stated that violence, intimidation, and xenophobia have no place in South Africa. He condemned people taking the law into their own hands by demanding passports or blocking access to public services.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force is on high alert at home. They have issued a strict warning against reprisal attacks. Targeting South African nationals, businesses, or diplomatic buildings in Nigeria will be treated as a serious crime.

Security agencies have increased surveillance around key locations since mid-May. The government wants to prevent any breakdown of law and order on Nigerian soil.

This is not a new fight. Similar crises happened in 2008, 2015, and 2019. What makes 2026 different is Nigeria's blunt threat of retaliation. Abuja is clearly running out of patience with diplomatic promises that fail to protect its people. The coming weeks will be critical for these two African giants.