The Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg has issued a strong safety advisory to Nigerian nationals residing in South Africa, ahead of planned nationwide anti-foreigner protests scheduled for Monday, May 4, 2026.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Consul General, Ambassador Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, urged Nigerians to remain vigilant following intelligence reports indicating coordinated demonstrations across all nine provinces of the country.
According to the consulate, organisers of the protests have been mobilising support through widely circulated messages calling for a nationwide shutdown. The demonstrations are reportedly aimed at pressuring authorities to take decisive action against foreign nationals.
The organisers allege that foreigners disproportionately benefit from South Africa’s resources and have demanded the removal of both documented and undocumented migrants. Planned activities include street marches designed to amplify calls for the expulsion of foreign nationals.
While specific protest locations remain unclear in several cities, demonstrators in Johannesburg are expected to converge at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown. The march is scheduled to hold between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., with organisers expected to present a memorandum to authorities by noon.
The consulate warned that the protests could disrupt activities in major urban and commercial centres, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, and Durban.
Nigerian nationals have been strongly advised to avoid protest areas, refrain from engaging with demonstrators, and remain updated through credible local media channels.
Business owners of Nigerian origin were also urged to take precautionary measures, including the temporary closure of their establishments, amid fears that foreign-owned businesses could be targeted during the demonstrations.
The advisory underscores growing concerns about safety and stability as tensions surrounding immigration continue to simmer in parts of South Africa.
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