The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, has defended Nigeria’s continued diplomatic engagement with South Africa over recurring xenophobic attacks, insisting dialogue remains the only viable path to lasting protection for Nigerians abroad.
Speaking on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM Ilese-Ijebu, NIDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocol, Abdulrahman Balogun, acknowledged public frustration but said Nigeria would keep negotiating despite renewed violence and reports of killings.
“There is no end to the diplomacy. We’ll continue to discuss it,” Balogun said.
Balogun traced the pattern of attacks to 1994, describing the situation as “quite appalling” and “very unfortunate.” He cited major waves of violence in 2000, 2009, 2014, 2019 and beyond, noting that successive administrations have tried interventions ranging from high-level visits to parliamentary engagements.
Efforts have included missions led by former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as well as talks involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and South African authorities. An early warning mechanism MoU was reportedly agreed but poorly implemented, he said.
Even presidential visits and public apologies from South African leaders have not translated into sustained protection, Balogun added.
Pressed on the effectiveness of diplomacy, Balogun said Nigeria has recorded more than 100 deaths of citizens in South Africa over time. Since NIDCOM came on board in 2019, “we must have recorded over 100 Nigerians killed in all kinds of attacks in South Africa.”
He clarified that the most recent incident involved fewer confirmed deaths but said the broader pattern remains deeply troubling.
Balogun pushed back on calls for economic retaliation, including proposals floated by political figures like Adams Oshiomhole. He warned that shutting down multinational firms operating in both countries would hurt Nigeria more.
“So if you shut it down, Nigeria will be more affected and we will hurt ourselves economically, even here in Nigeria,” he said.
He also expressed concern over what he described as a lack of political will in South Africa to prosecute perpetrators. “I am not aware of any of those single cases that the perpetrators have been killed, punished or reprimanded,” he said.
Balogun said diplomatic engagement continues at multiple levels, including recent meetings between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the South African High Commission in Abuja. Nigeria’s demands include investigation and prosecution of offenders, protection of citizens, and full implementation of bilateral agreements.
About 130 Nigerians have registered for voluntary return following renewed unrest, mostly informal sector workers such as traders, artisans, and service providers. Evacuations remain voluntary and are coordinated through Nigeria’s mission in South Africa, he said.
“Things are going on. Not all these diplomatic shuttles are there in the public space for people to know, but things are going on,” Balogun said.
He concluded that sustained dialogue, multilateral intervention through African institutions, and enforcement of bilateral agreements remain Nigeria’s most viable path toward a long-term resolution.
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