50 minutes | Friday, 17 July 2026
"It's not xenophobia. It's Afrophobia."
As attacks against African migrants spark fear across South Africa, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, mni, Nigeria's Consul General in Johannesburg, sits down with Ireti Bakare-Yusuf on Borderlines to discuss the humanitarian crisis, the evacuation of Nigerians, and what's really happening on the ground.
From coordinating emergency repatriation flights to confronting anti-foreigner violence, the Consul General shares a rare insider's account of the challenges facing Nigerians in South Africa and the diplomatic efforts underway to protect them.
In this episode, they discuss:
Why the Consul General believes the attacks are Afrophobia, not xenophobia
How Nigeria organised emergency repatriation flights for stranded citizens
The growing humanitarian crisis affecting Nigerians in South Africa
Claims that anti-migrant violence intensifies during election periods
The role of diplomacy, history, and Pan-African unity in resolving the crisis
Why she believes Nigeria and South Africa must strengthen, not weaken, their relationship
This is a compelling conversation on migration, diplomacy, African solidarity, and the human cost of political tensions.
What are your thoughts? Should the attacks be described as xenophobia or Afrophobia? Join the conversation in the comments.
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