South Africa’s Consul-General in Lagos, Prof. Bobby Moroe, has assured Nigerians that South Africa remains safe and open to visitors, while denying claims that its missions have stopped issuing visas to Nigerians.
Moroe made the remarks during an interview on Nigeria Info FM’s Travels and Culture programme, amid concerns over anti-immigration protests and attacks involving foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.
‘South Africa Is Open for Business’
Moroe said Nigerians should continue travelling to South Africa for business, tourism and other legitimate purposes.
“I just want to give reassurance that South Africa is open for business, South Africa is open for tourism and South Africa is open for any other form of visit,” he said.
He added, “I want to give assurance to Nigerians that it is safe to travel to South Africa.”
Moroe advised intending travellers to obtain the appropriate visas, comply with immigration laws, understand their rights and familiarise themselves with South African laws.
Consulate Denies Visa Ban
The Consul-General also dismissed claims that South African diplomatic missions in Nigeria had stopped issuing visas to Nigerians.
“It is also untrue to suggest that South African missions in Nigeria do not offer visas to Nigerians anymore,” he said.
According to Moroe, visa applications from Nigerians had nearly doubled, adding that the mission remained comfortable processing applications.
Moroe Rejects ‘Xenophobia’ Label
Moroe also rejected the description of attacks on foreigners in South Africa as xenophobia.
“There’s no xenophobia in South Africa,” he said.
When asked about previous incidents involving Nigerians and other foreign nationals, Moroe maintained that he would not describe them as xenophobic.
He said South Africans had genuine concerns about unemployment, inequality and poverty but stressed that violence was unacceptable and not supported by the government.
‘South Africans Are Not Xenophobic’
Moroe criticised the frequent use of the term, arguing that it had become closely associated with South Africa despite similar tensions involving migrants in other countries.
“South Africans are not xenophobic. Otherwise you would not be having the number of migrants that are there in South Africa,” he said.
He added that South Africa hosts the highest number of migrants in Africa, including both legal and undocumented migrants, and pointed to government efforts to extend visas and permits.
The comments come against the backdrop of anti-migrant protests and violence reported in parts of South Africa in 2026, developments that have raised concerns among Nigerians and prompted diplomatic reassurances.
Moroe said the South African government remained committed to protecting migrants and maintaining relations with Nigeria, while urging Nigerians visiting the country to obey local laws and act responsibly.
