By George Omagbemi Sylvester
South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, is expected to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja this week as part of renewed diplomatic efforts to address migration challenges and strengthen cooperation between Africa’s two largest economies.
The meeting forms part of Lamola’s mandate as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy on Migration, a role aimed at engaging African leaders on the growing challenges associated with irregular migration, border management, regional mobility and the protection of migrants’ rights. The visit follows increasing concerns in South Africa over illegal immigration, public pressure for tighter border controls and recurring anti-foreigner sentiments.
According to South African officials, Lamola has been consulting governments across the continent to promote coordinated African solutions to migration, emphasising that the issue requires regional cooperation rather than unilateral action. South Africa maintains that while migration contributes to economic growth and regional integration, irregular migration poses challenges to public services, law enforcement and border security.
The Abuja meeting comes barely days after Lamola held similar discussions with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama in Accra, where migration management, regional cooperation and measures to address the root causes of irregular migration featured prominently on the agenda. The Nigerian leg of the diplomatic mission is expected to build on those discussions as South Africa continues consultations with key African partners.
Talks between Lamola and President Tinubu are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation on migration governance, intelligence sharing, border management, labour mobility and the welfare of Nigerian nationals residing in South Africa.
The discussions are also expected to examine the socio-economic drivers of migration, including unemployment, insecurity, human trafficking, organised transnational crime and the growing need for harmonised immigration policies across the continent.
The engagement follows recent diplomatic contacts between Nigeria and South Africa over the safety and welfare of Nigerians living in South Africa. In recent months, both countries have intensified cooperation on issues relating to xenophobic attacks, consular protection, trade, regional security and the promotion of peaceful coexistence between their citizens.
The visit is expected to take place later this week in Abuja, where President Tinubu and Minister Lamola are anticipated to hold high-level bilateral talks aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties and developing practical solutions to Africa’s migration challenges.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to reinforce cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa in combating irregular migration, human trafficking and cross-border crime, while advancing a coordinated African approach to migration governance, economic integration and regional stability.
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