The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene and ensure the safety of Nigerian students in South Africa following reports of renewed xenophobic tensions.
The call was made in a statement on Wednesday by the Vice President of External Affairs, Comrade Aneke Kenechukwu.
Kenechukwu said recent reports indicated a disturbing pattern of hostility and targeted attacks against foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, adding that the situation had left many students in fear and uncertainty.
He described the protection of Nigerian students abroad as a national emergency, urging the Federal Government to immediately engage South African authorities through diplomatic channels to secure firm guarantees for their safety.
According to him, diplomatic mechanisms should be activated to closely monitor developments and ensure that perpetrators of xenophobic violence are brought to justice.
He also called for emergency support measures for affected students, including safe shelters, dedicated hotlines, and financial assistance where necessary.
Kenechukwu further advocated a coordinated evacuation plan for Nigerian students willing to return home in order to prevent further exposure to risk.
“Diplomacy remains the most responsible path, but it must be proactive, firm, and result-oriented. Nigerian lives must not be left to bureaucratic delay,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government to work closely with Nigerian diplomatic missions, international partners, and student representatives to ensure that no student is left stranded or vulnerable, warning that any delay could endanger lives.
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