Johannesburg – The Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg has issued a safety advisory to Nigerian nationals in South Africa ahead of planned nationwide anti-foreigner protests slated for Monday, May 4, 2026.
The advisory, issued Sunday and signed by the Consul General, Ambassador Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, urged citizens to remain alert following reports of coordinated demonstrations throughout all nine provinces of South Africa.
The mission said it received intelligence that anti-foreigner groups have been mobilising residents through circulated messages calling for a nationwide shutdown aimed at pressuring authorities to take action against foreign nationals.
Organisers are allegedly claiming that foreigners receive an unfair share of South Africa’s resources and are calling for the expulsion of both documented and undocumented migrants.
The groups are also planning street marches aimed at pushing for the exit of foreign nationals from the country.
Most cities have no confirmed assembly points, but protests are anticipated in several regions, the consulate said.
In Johannesburg, however, demonstrators are expected to gather at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown.
The march is planned for between 10am and 11am, with a memorandum to be handed to authorities around noon.
There are fears of security problems with possible disruption in the major business districts of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban.
The consulate advised Nigerians to be cautious and stay away from any form of confrontation with protesters.
The advisory said, “All Nigerian nationals are strongly advised to refrain from engaging with demonstrators or confronting them”. It added that citizens should keep themselves informed through local media and take necessary safety precautions.
There were also concerns that foreign-owned establishments could be at risk, and Nigerian business owners were advised to consider temporarily closing their businesses during the period of the protests.
