By Opeyemi Adelakun
Vice President Kashim Shettima has warned that Nigeria will no longer tolerate the humiliation, mistreatment or dehumanisation of its citizens in South Africa.
Shettima said the Federal Government would intensify pressure over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in the country.
The Vice President spoke in Luanda, Angola, shortly before departing for Nigeria after representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
His remarks came as Nigeria formally raised concerns over attacks against Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa before the African Union.
Shettima said Nigeria remained willing to engage South Africa through dialogue but stressed that diplomacy would not prevent the Federal Government from speaking out when the safety and dignity of Nigerians were threatened.
Recalling Nigeria’s historic contribution to the struggle against apartheid and the liberation of Southern African countries, the Vice President said the treatment of Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa was particularly painful.
“Those whose palm kernels were cracked by benevolent spirits should learn to be humble. We were part of the struggle for the liberation of our brothers and sisters in Southern Africa, and we feel personally pained that our people have been picked up for humiliation,” Shettima said.
He said Nigeria would continue to protect the interests of its citizens abroad while maintaining diplomatic engagement with South Africa.
“The government and people of Nigeria will no longer countenance a situation whereby our people are dehumanised and put into very, very unacceptable situations.
“But we believe in having very robust conversations with our South African brothers. We don’t want to overheat the polity, but once in a while, you have to make it very clear, vehemently clear, that certain situations are unacceptable, and we’ll work things out,” he added.
Nigeria seeks AU action on xenophobia
At the AU summit in Luanda, Shettima delivered President Tinubu’s message urging African leaders to take collective action against recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa.
Tinubu called on the continental body to place the matter on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session scheduled for January 2027.
“Nigeria wishes to express its concern over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa.
“While recognising South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws and acknowledging its contributions to the continent, Nigeria stresses that such attacks undermine African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence, and require urgent collective attention.
“It is on this note that Nigeria calls on this august Assembly to place the matter on the agenda of the upcoming 40th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, scheduled for January 2027, for consideration and appropriate action,” Tinubu declared.
The Nigerian government has maintained that South Africa has the sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws.
However, it has stressed that such enforcement must comply with human rights standards and must not expose African nationals to violence, humiliation or degrading treatment.
Nigeria is seeking greater cooperation among African governments to tackle xenophobia and Afrophobia and prevent attacks against foreign nationals from becoming recurring diplomatic crises.
The Federal Government has also advocated dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action as measures to protect Nigerians and strengthen African solidarity.
Nigeria’s response to attacks
In May, Tinubu directed Nigerian diplomatic missions in South Africa to establish a crisis notification unit for Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks.
The measure was aimed at improving communication and providing assistance to Nigerians facing threats or attacks.
In July, Nigeria again raised concerns over Afrophobic attacks at the ECOWAS level, with Tinubu calling for a united African response.
The President disclosed at the time that Nigeria had evacuated more than 1,490 citizens from danger in seven batches.
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