ABUJA — Nigeria and South Africa have agreed to take steps to ease diplomatic tensions following a series of attacks against Nigerian nationals in South Africa, with both governments pledging to pursue justice for victims and protect their longstanding bilateral relationship. The agreement followed talks in Abuja between Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, and South African International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola. The discussions focused on violence against foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, and the resulting strain on relations between two of Africa's largest economies. Nigerian authorities said South Africa had assured them that people responsible for attacks on Nigerian nationals would be prosecuted. Nigeria is also compiling claims relating to property losses suffered by its citizens during the unrest, which could form the basis for future compensation discussions. The diplomatic engagement comes after months of anti-immigrant protests and attacks in several South African cities. Vigilante groups have targeted foreign nationals and, in some cases, looted migrant-owned businesses. Nigerian citizens have been among those affected, prompting calls from Abuja for stronger protection and accountability. Nigeria said approximately 1,490 of its citizens had been repatriated following the unrest. The number reflects the scale of concern among Nigerians living and working in South Africa and the willingness of some affected residents to return home rather than remain in areas where they felt unsafe. Nigerian officials have called for stronger preventive measures, including an early-warning system for attacks and increased police protection in areas considered vulnerable to violence. Such measures are intended to give authorities more time to respond when tensions rise and to reduce the risk of attacks against foreign-owned businesses and communities. South Africa, for its part, said it condemned xenophobia and rejected any suggestion that the recent violence was sponsored by the government. Lamola stressed that individuals accused of criminal activity should be dealt with through the legal system rather than through vigilante action. South African authorities have previously faced concerns over violence linked to anti-immigrant groups, which often accuse foreign nationals of contributing to unemployment, crime and pressure on public services. Nigerian officials have argued that criminal allegations against individual citizens should not be used to justify attacks against an entire nationality. The disagreement has been particularly sensitive because Nigeria and South Africa maintain extensive economic, political and people-to-people ties. Nigerian businesses operate in South Africa, while South African companies have significant investments in Nigeria. Both countries also play influential roles in continental diplomacy and regional economic affairs. A prolonged diplomatic dispute could therefore have consequences beyond the immediate issue of attacks on migrants. The latest talks were aimed at preventing the tensions from damaging those broader relations. Nigerian officials said both sides had agreed to lower the temperature of public statements and preserve the relationship built through decades of diplomatic cooperation. That commitment could help create room for further discussions on compensation, policing and the protection of foreign nationals. The talks also underline the importance of cooperation between governments when citizens are affected by violence outside their home countries. Consular authorities can help document cases, assist victims and coordinate repatriation, but long-term protection ultimately depends on effective law enforcement in the country where incidents occur. For Nigerians living in South Africa, the immediate concern remains safety and protection from further attacks. For South African authorities, demonstrating that perpetrators will face prosecution will be important to rebuilding confidence among affected communities. The latest diplomatic engagement does not resolve all of the disagreements between Abuja and Pretoria, but it provides a framework for addressing them through official channels rather than escalating public confrontation. Both governments now face the task of turning their commitments into practical measures that protect foreign nationals, address property losses and prevent further violence. The outcome will be closely watched because the relationship between Nigeria and South Africa remains important to wider African political and economic cooperation.