South Africa Visa Applications Double From Nigerians Despite Xenophobia Concerns – Envoy

South Africa’s Consul-General in Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, has revealed that visa applications from Nigerians have nearly doubled in recent months, dismissing reports that South African missions have stopped issuing visas to Nigerians and insisting the country remains safe for travellers. Despite ongoing concerns over xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa, interest in travelling to the country has surged, according to the diplomat. Moroe made the disclosure during an interview with Nigeria Info FM on Sunday, emphasising that South Africa remains open for tourism, business and other forms of travel.

Moroe sought to allay fears over the safety of Nigerians travelling to South Africa, describing reports that diplomatic missions had suspended visa issuance as “untrue”. In his words: “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. And it is also untrue to suggest that South African missions in Nigeria do not offer visas to Nigerians anymore. But I can assure you and the listeners, that it is safe to travel to South Africa.” The Consul-General disclosed that visa applications have increased significantly, with the Lagos consulate alone processing between 100 to 130 applications daily.

This reassurance from Moroe comes amid renewed concerns over xenophobic violence in South Africa, where Nigerians and other African migrants have been targeted in pockets of violence across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and parts of the Western Cape. The attacks, often fuelled by claims of job competition and criminality, have led to looting of foreign-owned shops, assaults and forced displacements, sparking outrage in Nigeria and across the continent. In response to the escalating violence, the Federal Government facilitated the repatriation of over 1,400 Nigerians who were stranded or feared for their safety in South Africa. Repatriated Nigerians have since warned compatriots against migrating to South Africa, describing the country as unsafe for foreigners. Earlier in June 2026, the government had announced plans to repatriate more than 1,000 citizens through a voluntary repatriation programme, following a similar action by Ghana.

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In a separate interview, Moroe rejected claims that xenophobia is prevalent in South Africa, stating that the government condemns attacks on both citizens and foreigners regardless of immigration status. The diplomat went further to argue that the term “xenophobia” has become unfairly associated with South Africa, noting that when similar incidents occur elsewhere, they are labelled differently. “There’s no xenophobia in South Africa,” he said when questioned about recurring reports of violence against foreign nationals.

The surge in visa applications may also be attributed to streamlined processes introduced after a January 2023 forum, which have reduced turnaround times significantly. Under the new arrangements, qualifying Nigerian businesspeople can now be granted five-year multiple-entry visas, making travel more convenient for frequent visitors. Moroe urged prospective travellers to obtain necessary visas before departure and comply with South Africa’s immigration laws, advising: “It is everybody’s responsibility to ensure that before you travel, you ensure that you have your visa, you comply with the immigration laws of the country, you become a good ambassador of your country.” He also cautioned Nigerians to familiarise themselves with South African laws, understand their rights and know the locations of law enforcement agencies in case of emergencies, adding: “When you get to South Africa, you know and understand your rights, but you must also familiarise yourself with the laws of the country. You choose places that you want to visit… and ensure that you also are familiar with the location of law enforcement agencies, just in case something happens.”

The Consul-General’s position on xenophobia has, however, been challenged by former Enugu State lawmaker Okey Onoh, who described Moroe’s denial as contradicting documented reports of attacks and discrimination against African migrants in South Africa. Onoh cited reports by advocacy groups, including Xenowatch, which have recorded hundreds of alleged xenophobic incidents annually, and criticised anti-immigrant groups including Operation Dudula. In a sharp rebuke, Onoh declared: “Keep your South Africa, we keep our Nigeria,” calling for greater protection of African migrants and urging African countries to reconsider their engagement with South Africa.

Despite these tensions and the contrasting narratives, Moroe expressed confidence that bilateral visits between both countries would continue to grow, stressing that South Africa valued its relationship with Nigeria and that people-to-people ties between the two nations remain active. Nigerian DJs perform in Johannesburg, South African gospel artists play in Lagos, students study in Cape Town and traders do business in Aba — these are the everyday connections that bind the two countries, mission officials noted, underscoring the deep and enduring links that persist even amid diplomatic friction and security concerns.

South Africa Visa Applications Double From Nigerians Despite Xenophobia Concerns – Envoy

Nigeria Immigration Deploys Passport Intervention Team to UK to Clear Application Backlog

The Nigeria Immigration Service has sent a dedicated team to the United Kingdom to process pending, new, and renewal passport applications for Nigerians in the diaspora, with operations beginning August 10, 2026.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has deployed a dedicated Passport Intervention Team to the United Kingdom to ease and streamline passport applications for Nigerians living in the diaspora. The initiative, directed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, is part of ongoing efforts to address the challenges Nigerians abroad face in obtaining or renewing their travel documents. The intervention team, comprising personnel from the NIS headquarters in Abuja, arrived in the United Kingdom on Monday, August 10, 2026. The team will work in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission to facilitate the processing and issuance of pending, new, and renewal passport applications. This deployment follows recent complaints from Nigerians in the UK about delays in passport processing and poor communication at the High Commission, concerns the NIS had earlier addressed by highlighting the availability of its digital platforms.

As part of the exercise, the intervention team will visit designated cities across the United Kingdom to conduct passport enrolment and processing. This approach is designed to bring services closer to eligible applicants in different parts of the country, reducing the burden of travelling long distances to a central location. The intervention is open to three categories of applicants: applicants with pending passport applications who are waiting for processing; new applicants applying for a Nigerian passport for the first time; and holders of passports with less than one year remaining before expiry who wish to apply for renewal. During enrolment, applicants are required to present their completed application forms and proof of payment.

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The NIS has urged Nigerians in the UK not to proceed to any location until the detailed schedule, including designated cities, dates, venues, and enrolment times, has been officially communicated. “Applicants are therefore advised not to proceed to any location until the relevant schedule has been officially communicated and to monitor the official communication channels of the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom for further details,” the NIS stated. The NIS also advised applicants to rely only on information released through authorised government platforms.

The NIS has clarified that all its digital passport application channels, including the Contactless Passport Application System, will remain fully operational throughout the intervention. The Contactless Passport Application System, which was launched in the UK in February 2025, allows eligible Nigerians to renew their passports without visiting a centre for biometric enrolment through the NIS Mobile application. The home delivery service for passports will also continue to be available to applicants. This digital system has been particularly valuable following the introduction of the NIS Mobile app, which addressed the challenge of securing appointments for biometric enrolment at the High Commission. The app has undergone several upgrades based on user feedback, and the NIS has confirmed that previous technical glitches have been resolved.

For enquiries or complaints regarding the UK intervention, applicants can contact the NIS through the following channels: email at passport.london@immigration.gov.ng or the WhatsApp-only line at +234 916 087 8000. The NIS reaffirmed its commitment to providing efficient, transparent and responsive passport services to Nigerians both at home and abroad.

Nigeria Immigration Deploys Passport Intervention Team to UK to Clear Application Backlog