NIGERIAN ENVOY ASSURES SOUTH AFRICA-BASED CITIZENS AS PASSPORT AND SAFETY CONCERNS REMAIN UNDER REVIEW
By Iroyin Yoruba Television
Nigeria's Consul General in Johannesburg, Ambassador Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, has assured Nigerians living in South Africa, Eswatini and Lesotho that the Federal Government remains concerned about their welfare, particularly difficulties involving passport services and safety concerns arising from threats of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.
The assurance was contained in an Independence Day message delivered to Nigerians in Southern Africa as Nigeria marked its 66th anniversary on October 1, 2026.
The message placed particular emphasis on two issues that directly affect Nigerians living outside the country: access to consular and passport services, and the safety of Nigerian citizens in their host communities.
Ambassador Okey-Uche acknowledged that Nigerians in the region have raised concerns about difficulties associated with passport services. She also recognised concerns over threats of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks, which have increased anxiety among some members of the Nigerian community.
The envoy said the Nigerian diplomatic mission was aware of these concerns and was continuing to push for practical measures to address them.
She stressed that passport and safety issues should not be treated simply as administrative matters because they directly affect the lives and responsibilities of Nigerians living abroad.
A passport can be essential for employment, travel, residence documentation, banking, education, family responsibilities and other activities requiring proof of identity and nationality.
For Nigerians who live outside the country, delays or difficulties obtaining or renewing passports can therefore create complications extending well beyond the passport application itself.
The Consul General said the mission understood that behind every passport problem was a Nigerian with a family, business, profession or other personal obligation.
She consequently assured citizens that their complaints and concerns were receiving attention.
The message comes as Nigeria's diaspora population continues to rely on diplomatic missions for a range of consular services, including passport-related assistance and other documentation.
The Nigerian mission in Johannesburg serves Nigerians in South Africa, while also providing consular engagement with Nigerians in neighbouring countries within its area of responsibility.
The safety dimension of the Consul General's message is also significant.
South Africa has experienced recurring tensions surrounding migration and the presence of foreign nationals. Nigerians living in the country have sometimes raised concerns about xenophobic rhetoric, attacks and other forms of hostility directed at African migrants.
The Nigerian government has previously called for investigations into deaths and attacks involving its citizens in South Africa.
Against that background, the Consul General's latest message sought to reassure Nigerians that their concerns were being heard while also encouraging them to remain law-abiding in their host countries.
The envoy urged Nigerians living in South Africa, Eswatini and Lesotho to respect the laws of their host countries and conduct themselves responsibly.
That appeal reflects the dual responsibility facing citizens living abroad.
While diplomatic missions have a responsibility to protect and assist their nationals within the limits of international law and diplomatic practice, citizens are also expected to comply with the laws of the countries where they reside.
The Consul General presented this as part of the responsibility associated with representing Nigeria abroad.
For Nigerians in the diaspora, national identity remains important even when they live thousands of kilometres away from Nigeria. Their conduct and interactions can influence perceptions of Nigerians within their host communities.
The envoy therefore encouraged citizens to carry their Nigerian identity with dignity and confidence.
At the same time, her remarks recognised that the challenges facing Nigerians abroad cannot simply be resolved by asking citizens to behave responsibly.
Where there are genuine problems with consular services, diplomatic missions have a role in addressing them.
Where Nigerian citizens face threats or violence, diplomatic representatives can engage relevant authorities and seek appropriate investigations and protection.
Where documentation problems affect citizens, consular authorities can work to improve procedures and provide information on available services.
The passport issue is particularly important because Nigerian citizens living abroad may depend on diplomatic missions when their passports expire, are lost, damaged or require changes to personal information.
Passport renewal can become more complicated when applicants live far from a Nigerian mission or when appointment availability is limited.
The Nigerian government has in recent years sought to expand and improve passport services in several countries where large Nigerian communities reside.
Special passport intervention exercises have also been used to reach citizens in locations where demand for services is high.
For Nigerians in Southern Africa, the latest assurance suggests that passport-related concerns remain part of the consulate's current engagement with the community.
The Consul General did not present a single immediate solution to every passport problem. Instead, she said efforts were continuing to push for practical interventions.
That means Nigerians affected by specific passport issues will still need to use the appropriate consular channels for individual cases while broader administrative concerns are addressed.
The safety issue is more complex.
Diplomatic missions cannot control the actions of individuals or groups in another country. Protection of foreign nationals ultimately falls within the responsibility of the host country's law-enforcement and security institutions.
However, Nigerian diplomatic representatives can raise concerns with host authorities, request investigations and maintain communication with affected communities.
The Nigerian government has also used diplomatic channels when citizens have been killed or subjected to attacks abroad.
For Nigerian communities, communication with consular authorities can therefore become particularly important during periods of heightened tension.
Community organisations also play a role by helping citizens share information and identify emerging concerns.
The Consul General's Independence Day message was directed not only at Nigeria's relationship with its citizens abroad but also at the broader question of what independence means for Nigerians living outside the country.
She described independence as more than a date on the calendar, presenting it as a reminder of shared identity, heritage and responsibility to future generations.
For Nigerians in the diaspora, national celebrations can provide an opportunity to maintain cultural connections while also reflecting on the responsibilities associated with living abroad.
The Nigerian community in South Africa is diverse and includes professionals, entrepreneurs, students, families, traders and other residents.
Many have established businesses and careers in the country and maintain strong economic and family links with Nigeria.
The wellbeing of this population therefore has implications beyond individual citizens.
When Nigerians living abroad face serious administrative or security challenges, their families in Nigeria can also be affected.
A passport delay can affect international travel, employment or family visits. A security incident can affect relatives who depend financially or emotionally on people living abroad.
Diaspora concerns consequently have both local and transnational dimensions.
The Consul General's message also highlighted the importance of maintaining communication between diplomatic missions and Nigerian communities.
Effective communication can help citizens understand available services, respond to safety concerns and obtain information from official sources rather than relying entirely on rumours or unverified social-media reports.
This is especially important when there are concerns about xenophobic incidents, because inaccurate information can increase fear and tension.
Citizens are therefore likely to benefit from monitoring official consular announcements when dealing with passport matters or safety-related developments.
The Nigerian mission's engagement with citizens also forms part of the wider responsibility of diplomatic representation.
Consular missions are expected to assist citizens with legitimate administrative needs, provide consular services and engage authorities in the host country when issues affecting Nigerians arise.
At the same time, diplomatic missions must operate within the laws and diplomatic arrangements of the host country.
The South African context makes that balance particularly important.
Nigeria and South Africa have extensive people-to-people, commercial and diplomatic ties. Large Nigerian communities live and work in South Africa, while South Africans and Nigerians interact through business, education, culture, travel and other activities.
Maintaining constructive relations between communities therefore requires attention to both the rights and responsibilities of migrants.
For Nigerian citizens, the Consul General's latest message provides reassurance that passport and safety concerns have not been ignored.
For the diplomatic mission, the challenge is to translate that concern into practical improvements that citizens can experience.
That could include better communication around passport procedures, clearer appointment information, efficient handling of applications and effective engagement with relevant authorities when safety incidents occur.
For citizens facing immediate difficulties, however, general assurances do not replace the need for case-by-case assistance.
Individuals experiencing passport problems will still need to provide the required documents and follow the established consular process.
Those facing threats or criminal incidents should also contact the relevant authorities and seek assistance through appropriate diplomatic channels.
The Consul General's call for Nigerians to remain responsible in their host countries is equally relevant.
Migration brings rights and obligations. Nigerians living abroad retain their identity and connection to Nigeria, but they are also subject to the laws of the countries where they reside.
Respecting local laws, avoiding criminal activity and maintaining constructive relationships with host communities can help reduce unnecessary conflict.
At the same time, lawful conduct does not remove a person's right to seek protection or report discrimination, violence or other unlawful treatment.
The two responsibilities can therefore coexist.
The Nigerian government has a continuing interest in the welfare of citizens abroad because the diaspora contributes to families, communities and the national economy.
Remittances from Nigerians abroad remain an important source of financial support for households and contribute to Nigeria's wider economy.
Professionals and entrepreneurs in the diaspora also maintain business, educational and cultural links with the country.
Ensuring that these citizens can maintain valid travel documents and live safely in their host communities is therefore relevant to Nigeria's broader relationship with its diaspora.
The October 1 message came at a significant moment for Nigeria, as the country marked 66 years of independence.
For Nigerians living abroad, the anniversary also provided an opportunity for diplomatic representatives to reinforce the relationship between the Nigerian state and its citizens outside the country.
Ambassador Okey-Uche used the occasion to acknowledge the difficulties faced by Nigerians in Southern Africa while encouraging citizens to remain hopeful and constructive.
She said difficult circumstances should not define the destiny of Nigerians.
Her message combined acknowledgement of current problems with an appeal for responsibility, dignity and continued engagement.
For the Nigerian community, the most immediate issues remain practical: obtaining passports and other consular documents, accessing diplomatic assistance when necessary and feeling secure in their communities.
The extent to which these concerns improve will depend on the effectiveness of administrative reforms, diplomatic engagement and cooperation with authorities in the host countries.
The latest assurance does not by itself resolve every problem facing Nigerians in Southern Africa.
However, it establishes that the Nigerian diplomatic mission recognises passport difficulties and safety concerns as issues requiring continued attention.
As Nigerians living in South Africa, Eswatini and Lesotho continue their daily lives, the effectiveness of consular support will ultimately be measured by how quickly individual problems are addressed and how accessible diplomatic services become.
The message also reinforces the importance of cooperation between Nigerian citizens, community organisations, diplomatic missions and host-country institutions.
Such cooperation can help ensure that concerns are communicated clearly and that appropriate responses are pursued through lawful channels.
For Nigerians abroad, maintaining valid documentation, staying informed through official channels and complying with host-country laws remain important parts of navigating life outside Nigeria.
For the Nigerian government, continuing to improve passport services and responding promptly to credible safety concerns will remain important responsibilities toward citizens in the diaspora.
The October 1 statement from the Consul General therefore placed the welfare of Nigerians abroad at the centre of Nigeria's Independence Day engagement in Southern Africa, with passport access and citizen safety identified as continuing concerns requiring practical attention.