By Peace Udugba
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has defended Nigeria’s continued diplomatic engagement with South Africa over recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians, insisting that dialogue remains the most viable path to achieving lasting protection for citizens abroad despite repeated violence and killings.
Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocol at NIDCOM, Abdulrahman Balogun, stated this while speaking on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu.
Balogun acknowledged growing frustration over the persistent attacks but maintained that diplomacy remains Nigeria’s preferred strategy in handling the crisis.
“Let me just say here that there is no end to the diplomacy. We’ll continue to discuss it,” he said.
Describing the situation as “quite appalling” and “very unfortunate,” Balogun noted that xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa have continued intermittently since the post-apartheid era.
“From 1994, we’ve been having these attacks up and down. Governments from that time have been trying to find a lasting solution to this problem,” he stated.
He recalled that major outbreaks of violence were recorded in 2000, 2009, 2014, 2019 and subsequent years, prompting several interventions by successive Nigerian administrations.
According to him, efforts to address the crisis have included high-level diplomatic visits, parliamentary engagements, and meetings between officials of both countries.
Balogun referenced diplomatic missions led by former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, alongside engagements involving Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and South African authorities.
He also revealed that both countries had previously agreed on an early warning mechanism through a Memorandum of Understanding, although implementation has remained weak.
The NIDCOM spokesperson further noted that even presidential visits and public apologies by South African leaders had yet to produce sustained protection for Nigerians living in the country.
Responding to questions on whether diplomacy had yielded meaningful results, Balogun disclosed that more than 100 Nigerians have reportedly lost their lives in South Africa over time.
“Since we came on board in 2019, we must have recorded over 100 Nigerians killed in all kinds of attacks in South Africa,” he said.
He clarified, however, that the latest incident involved fewer confirmed deaths, although the broader pattern of violence remained deeply concerning.
Balogun also addressed calls for retaliatory measures against South Africa, including proposals by former Edo State governor and senator, Adams Oshiomhole, urging the Federal Government to sanction South African businesses operating in Nigeria.
While acknowledging the emotional appeal of such actions, he warned that economic retaliation could negatively affect Nigeria’s own economy, given the extensive investments and operations shared between both countries.
“So if you shut it down, Nigeria will be more affected and we will hurt ourselves economically, even here in Nigeria,” he said.
On the issue of justice and accountability, Balogun expressed concern over what he described as a lack of political will by South African authorities to prosecute perpetrators of xenophobic attacks.
“I am not aware of any of those single cases that the perpetrators have been punished or reprimanded for that unfortunate behaviour,” he added.
He disclosed that diplomatic engagements between both nations are still ongoing, including recent meetings involving Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the South African High Commission in Abuja.
According to him, Nigeria’s demands include thorough investigations, prosecution of offenders, protection of Nigerian citizens, and full implementation of existing bilateral agreements.
Balogun further revealed that about 130 Nigerians have registered for voluntary evacuation following the renewed unrest in South Africa.
He explained that most affected Nigerians are informal sector workers, including traders, artisans, and service providers.
“Those are the people that are majorly affected,” he noted.
The NIDCOM official explained that evacuation processes remain voluntary and are coordinated through Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in South Africa, similar to previous evacuations from conflict zones such as Sudan, Libya, Ukraine, and Lebanon.
Despite criticism over the effectiveness of diplomacy, Balogun maintained that Nigeria’s engagement strategy remains active across executive, parliamentary, and diplomatic channels.
“Things are going on. Not all these diplomatic shuttles are there in the public space for people to know, but things are going on,” he said.
He concluded by reiterating that while public frustration over recurring xenophobic violence is understandable, Nigeria will continue to prioritise negotiation, regional diplomacy, and institutional cooperation over confrontation in seeking a long-term solution.
