Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has initiated discussions with her South African counterpart over the safety of Nigerians amid rising anti-foreigner protests.

This comes as the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) urged Nigerian business owners in South Africa to temporarily shut down their businesses during the unrest.

In a statement signed by Abdulrahman Balogun, NiDCOM advised Nigerians to avoid any form of confrontation with protesters and remain vigilant.

“The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs is engaging with the South African Foreign Affairs Minister,” the commission stated, adding that citizens should adhere strictly to safety advisories issued by Nigerian diplomatic missions.

NiDCOM further warned that anti-foreigner demonstrations are spreading across several parts of the country and could escalate.

“Nigerian nationals are urged to remain law-abiding, avoid engagement with protest groups, and monitor local media for real-time updates,” the statement read.

The commission also recommended that Nigerian-owned businesses remain closed on April 27 (Freedom Day) and possibly extend closure through April 28 and 29, noting that foreign-owned businesses are often targeted during such unrest.

Supporting the advisory, Nigeria’s Consul-General in Johannesburg, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, confirmed that the consulate is fully operational and working closely with South African security agencies to protect Nigerian citizens.

According to an official circular from the Nigerian Consulate, protests in cities including Cape Town, Durban, and East London have already turned violent, resulting in looting, property damage, and injuries.

Further demonstrations are expected in Gauteng Province from April 27 to 29, with protesters reportedly seeking to pressure the government over the presence of foreign nationals.