By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has defended Nigeria’s continued reliance on diplomacy in addressing recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians, living in South Africa, insisting that sustained engagement remains the only realistic path to a lasting solution.

Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocol of the Commission, Abdulrahman Balogun, made this known while speaking on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, monitored in Abeokuta.

Balogun acknowledged growing public frustration over repeated attacks and killings of Nigerians in South Africa, but stressed that diplomatic efforts between both countries must continue despite the seeming lack of lasting results.

“Let me just say here that there is no end to diplomacy. We will continue to discuss it,” he stated.

Describing the recurring attacks as “quite appalling” and “very unfortunate,” the NIDCOM spokesman recalled that xenophobic violence against Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa had persisted intermittently since the end of apartheid in 1994.

“From 1994, we have been having these attacks on and off, and governments over the years have been trying to find lasting solutions to the problem,” he said.

Balogun noted that successive Nigerian administrations had undertaken several diplomatic interventions, including high-level visits, parliamentary engagements, and bilateral discussions with South African authorities.

According to him, efforts in the past included delegations led by former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as well as engagements spearheaded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in Pretoria.

He disclosed that both countries had at some point agreed on an Early Warning Mechanism Memorandum of Understanding aimed at preventing xenophobic violence, but lamented that implementation of the agreement had remained weak.

Balogun further observed that several assurances and apologies from South African leaders over the years had yet to translate into adequate protection for Nigerians residing in the country.

Speaking on the effectiveness of Nigeria’s diplomatic approach, he revealed that over 100 Nigerians had lost their lives in various attacks in South Africa since 2019.

“Since we came on board in 2019, we must have recorded over 100 Nigerians killed in all kinds of attacks in South Africa,” he disclosed.

He, however, clarified that the latest incident involved fewer confirmed deaths, even as he warned that the recurring pattern of violence remained a serious concern.

On calls for retaliatory measures against South Africa, including economic sanctions proposed by some political figures, Balogun cautioned against actions that could negatively impact Nigeria’s economy.

While admitting that such demands were often driven by emotions and public anger, he stressed that both countries maintain deep economic ties through multinational businesses operating across their borders.

“So if you shut it down, Nigeria will be more affected and we will hurt ourselves economically, even here in Nigeria,” he said.

Balogun also expressed concern over what he described as inadequate political will by South African authorities to prosecute perpetrators of xenophobic attacks.

“I am not aware of any of those single cases where the perpetrators have been punished or reprimanded for that unfortunate behaviour,” he stated.

The NIDCOM spokesman disclosed that diplomatic engagements between both countries were still ongoing at different levels, including recent meetings involving Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the South African High Commission in Abuja.

According to him, Nigeria’s key demands include proper investigation of attacks, prosecution of offenders, improved protection for Nigerians in South Africa, and full implementation of existing bilateral agreements.

On evacuation arrangements for affected Nigerians, Balogun revealed that about 130 citizens had so far registered for voluntary return to Nigeria following renewed unrest.

He explained that most Nigerians affected by the attacks were traders, artisans, and other informal sector workers.

“Those are the people that are majorly affected,” he said.

He added that the evacuation exercise remained voluntary and was being coordinated through Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in South Africa.

Balogun noted that previous evacuations from crisis-hit countries such as Sudan, Libya, Ukraine, and Lebanon followed similar procedures involving voluntary registration, inter-agency collaboration, and support from private organisations and humanitarian groups.

Despite mounting criticism over the effectiveness of diplomacy, the NIDCOM spokesman insisted that Nigeria remained committed to dialogue, regional diplomacy, and institutional cooperation rather than confrontation.

“Things are going on. Not all these diplomatic shuttles are in the public space for people to know, but things are going on,” he added.

He maintained that while public frustration over recurring xenophobic violence was understandable, sustained diplomatic engagement and stronger enforcement of bilateral agreements remained the most viable route to achieving long-term protection for Nigerians living in South Africa.