Human Security and Diaspora Protection: Nigeria-South Africa Relations in the Wake of Xenophobic Violence

This study examines human security and diaspora protection within Nigeria-South Africa relations in the wake of xenophobic violence against Nigerian nationals in South Africa. The study is premised on the problem that recurrent xenophobic attacks, discrimination, harassment, destruction of property and loss of lives have generated serious human security concerns for Nigerians living and conducting business in South Africa, while also creating diplomatic tensions between the two countries. The study adopts a qualitative research methodology based on the analysis of secondary data obtained from books, scholarly journal articles, official government documents, policy reports, media publications and relevant international and regional instruments. The study is anchored on the Human Security Approach, which shifts attention from the traditional security of states to the protection of individuals and communities from threats to their survival, livelihood and dignity. Findings reveal that xenophobic violence has significantly undermined the human security of Nigerian migrants and affected the diplomatic and socio-economic dimensions of Nigeria-South Africa relations. Although both governments have undertaken diplomatic engagements and security measures to address attacks and protect affected nationals, persistent socio-economic inequalities, negative stereotypes, weak law enforcement and inadequate accountability continue to constrain effective diaspora protection. The study concludes that sustainable Nigeria-South Africa relations require a stronger human-centered approach to migration and diaspora protection. It recommends enhanced bilateral security cooperation, stronger prosecution of perpetrators of xenophobic violence, improved consular protection for Nigerian nationals, public awareness programmes against xenophobia, and strengthened bilateral mechanisms for addressing migration-related disputes and protecting the rights and dignity of migrants.

Human security, Diaspora, Xenophobia, Nigeria, South Africa

1. Abdulrasheed A. & Rabiu M., (2024). Implications of Xenophobic Attacks on Nigerians and Nigeria-South Africa Diplomatic Relations: A Review of Recurrent Issues. Wukari International Studies Journal. 8 (3). Pp 10-31 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Alaga, Z. O., & Udoh, O. (2023). Xenophobia and its impact on human rights of migrants: A study of Nigerians in South Africa. Ife Social Sciences Review, 31(1), 119–127. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Alberth, J. & Carlson, A. (2009). Critical security studies, human security and peace. Report of the 35th ISPAD-Meeting, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2-5 September 2009 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Brock, J., & Dludla, N. (2015, April 28). Xenophobia row exposes rivalry between South Africa and Nigeria. Reuters. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Crush, J., & Ramachandran, S. (2017). Migrant entrepreneurship, collective violence and xenophobia in South Africa. Southern African Migration Programme. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Dajahar, D. L., & Alheir, D. W., (2018). A Theoretical Framework for Human Security in West Africa: An Assessment of Critical Security Theory. FULAFIA Journal of Social Sciences. 1 (3) 59-70. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Emmanuel O., Shuaibu U.A. & Luka R.C., (2025). Xenophobic Attacks o Nigerians in South Africa and Their Implications for Nigeria-South Africa Diplomatic Relations: An exploratory study, 2008-2024. International Journal of Research and Innovations in Social Science. Ix(viii) ISSN: 2454-6186. Pp 896-910 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. International Law Commission. (2006). Draft articles on diplomatic protection with commentaries. United Nations. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Joshua, O.Z., & Ngwu, E.C. (2023). Trans-Border Trajectories and Human Security in Nigeria: Northeast and Northwest in Perspectives. Wukari International Studies Journal. 7(5) 154-168 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Misago, J. P. (2025). From deprivation to mobilization: Towards a multideterminant model of xenophobic violence in South Africa. African Human Mobility Review, 11(1), 62–83. https://doi.org/10.14426/ahmr.v11i1.2363 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Newton G. (2010). Critical security studies: emancipatory challenges. Journal of International Affairs.14(2). 15 -32 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Ogunnoiki, A. O., & Adeyemi, A. A. (2019). The impact of xenophobic attacks on Nigeria-South Africa relations. African Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Research. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Ogunnowo, O., & Joshua, S. (2019). Xenophobic attacks in South Africa and Nigeria's foreign policy: Rethinking Nigeria's Afro-centric foreign policy posture. Covenant University Journal of Politics and International Affairs, 7(1), 1–16. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Olanrewaju, F. O., & Oluseyi, O. (2022). Migration and xenophobia in Nigeria–South Africa relations: An exposition of the implementation of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P). African Renaissance, 19(SI 1), 259–283. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Ochogwu, E., Abdul, S. U., & Luka, R. C. (2025). Xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa and their implication for Nigeria–South Africa diplomatic relations: An exploratory study, 2008–2024. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 9(8), 896–910. https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.908000077 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Tella, O. (2019). Nigeria–South Africa relations and regional hegemonic competence. Springer. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Umeh, L. C., & Onuoha, F. U. (2026). Xenophobic violence on foreign relations: A study of Nigeria and South Africa international relations: 2025–2026. International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, 13(6), 4213–4224. https://doi.org/10.51244/IJRSI.2026.1306000311 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Yelwa, S. U., & John, A. W. (2026). Nigeria's diaspora diplomacy in practice: Evaluating NiDCOM's intervention in xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa (2015–2019). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]