Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has described the recent outbreak of xenophobic violence in South Africa as an “embarrassment to the continent”.

The president, who is on a state visit to South Africa, made the comments during a meeting with Nigerians living there, according to his official Twitter account.

I, therefore, urge you to use your resources, skills and talents to help the development of Nigeria.

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) October 4, 2019

Nigerian-owned businesses, among others, were targeted in a bout of violence last month.

The attacks created a furious reaction in Nigeria, which was stoked by incorrect reports that Nigerians had been killed.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has said he was “ashamed” by what happened.

At the meeting with the Nigerian community in South Africa, Mr Buhari also said that “the authorities have expressed their apologies over the incidents and have resolved to take necessary steps to end this ugly trend in the interest of our relationship”.