The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a travel advisory, urging citizens traveling to Australia to exercise heightened caution due to an increase in reported incidents of harassment and discrimination against foreigners.
In a statement released Tuesday, Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa highlighted recent events, including antisemitic and Islamophobic hate crimes, that have raised concerns for the safety of Nigerians in Australia.
The advisory follows a global surge in hate-related incidents linked to heightened tensions and conflicts, with certain parts of Australia reportedly seeing an uptick in such cases.
The Nigerian Ministry’s warning coincides with an earlier advisory issued by the Australian government, which cautioned its citizens about traveling to Nigeria due to risks of terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crime in regions like Adamawa, Borno, Bayelsa, and Delta states.
As part of its advisory, the Ministry cited a December 2024 incident in Woollahra, a suburb of Sydney, where anti-Israel graffiti and a car burning drew condemnation.
While acknowledging Australia’s multicultural reputation, the Ministry emphasized the importance of vigilance. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises Nigerian citizens planning to travel to Australia to consider the prevailing security situation in specific areas. Recent reports of discrimination, harassment, and verbal abuse targeting foreigners, along with a rise in hate crimes, call for extra caution,” the statement read.
Nigerians who experience or witness discrimination are encouraged to report such incidents to the Nigerian High Commission in Canberra for support.
The Ministry also advised travelers to respect local customs, remain informed about safety conditions, and take all necessary precautions to ensure their well-being.
