By Abigail David
The Federal Government has expressed dissatisfaction with South Africa’s handling of the recent wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians, warning that diplomatic and economic measures, including a review of bilateral privileges, are under consideration.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this on Monday after briefing President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
She accused South African authorities of failing to respond decisively to attacks on Nigerian nationals, alleging that businesses owned by Nigerians had been looted and destroyed while their children faced intimidation in schools.
The minister also dismissed claims that the affected Nigerians were illegal migrants, insisting that many of them are legitimate residents and business owners.
According to her, Nigeria’s historical support for South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle makes the treatment of its citizens particularly disappointing.
“Nigeria is not happy with South Africa,” she said, recalling the country’s financial and political contributions to South Africa’s liberation movement.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that the Federal Government was considering possible retaliatory measures, including reviewing privileges enjoyed by South African businesses and nationals in Nigeria, although she stressed that such decisions would be taken at the highest level of government.
Her comments followed resolutions by the National Assembly, with the House of Representatives recommending a temporary suspension of business permits for South African companies operating in Nigeria, while the Senate proposed sending a high-level delegation led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio to South Africa.
The minister also confirmed that President Tinubu had approved five evacuation flights to repatriate Nigerians willing to return home amid the crisis.
According to her, 1,092 Nigerians have registered for voluntary evacuation, with more than 500 already screened and cleared for departure. The first evacuation flight, initially scheduled for Monday, was postponed to Wednesday due to logistical reasons.
She explained that the evacuation exercise, being coordinated with the National Emergency Management Agency and other government agencies, would be followed by rehabilitation support for returnees.
The latest tensions were sparked by anti-immigration protests organised by groups including Operation Dudula and March for March, which have heightened fears among foreign nationals across several South African provinces.
Nigeria had earlier summoned South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner, Lesoli Machele, for discussions over the attacks, while the South African government reportedly expressed reservations about Nigeria’s evacuation plans.
The current developments revive memories of previous xenophobic attacks in 2008, 2015 and 2019, which claimed lives, displaced thousands of foreign nationals and strained diplomatic relations between both countries.
