ABUJA – President Bola Tinubu reportedly declined a request to meet a special envoy sent by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa amid renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa.

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According to Presidency sources quoted by Arise News, the South African delegation, led by the country’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, arrived in Abuja on Friday carrying a message from President Ramaphosa. However, the delegation’s request for an audience with President Tinubu was reportedly turned down because it was made without a prior appointment. The delegation is now expected to hold discussions with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.

The diplomatic development comes as renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa continue to raise concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in the country. The Federal Government has repeatedly urged South African authorities to strengthen measures to protect Nigerians and ensure that those responsible for attacks on foreign nationals are identified and prosecuted.

The worsening security situation has already prompted the evacuation of 1,174 willing Nigerian residents from South Africa. The final batch of evacuees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos aboard an Air Peace flight on July 15, 2026, as the Nigerian government continues diplomatic efforts to address the recurring attacks and safeguard its citizens abroad.