President Bola Tinubu has declined to receive a special envoy sent by South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, amid renewed concerns over persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa.
Key Highlights
- President Bola Tinubu reportedly declined to receive a special envoy from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa amid renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
- The delegation, led by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, reportedly arrived in Abuja but could not secure a meeting with Tinubu.
- The development follows the reported death of Nigerian Chika Ibe in Bellville, Cape Town, allegedly after being arrested and tortured by members of the South African Police Service.
- Vice President Kashim Shettima recently called for stronger continental action against xenophobia and urged African leaders to protect the rights and dignity of Africans.
- Nigeria has reportedly evacuated 1,490 citizens affected by previous xenophobic violence in South Africa.
According to diplomatic sources, the South African delegation, led by the country’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, arrived in Abuja on Friday, with an important message from President Ramaphosa.
However, the delegation was unable to secure an audience with Tinubu.
The development follows the reported killing of a Nigerian, Chika Ibe, in Bellville, Cape Town.
Ibe was allegedly arrested at his residence and tortured to death by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), further heightening tensions between the two countries.
Nigeria has consistently condemned xenophobic violence against its citizens in South Africa.
At the recent 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Lungi, Sierra Leone, Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing Tinubu, urged African leaders to adopt stronger continental measures against xenophobia.
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Shettima described the recurring attacks on African nationals in South Africa as unacceptable and called for a united response to safeguard the rights and dignity of Africans across the continent.
He also revealed that Nigeria had previously evacuated 1,490 citizens affected by xenophobic violence and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to working with regional and continental institutions to tackle the crisis.
Sources within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the minister, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu advised against Tinubu receiving the South African delegation, while attacks on Nigerians, their businesses and properties continue unabated.
The minister reportedly maintained that the delegation could not meet the president without a prior appointment and tangible commitments from Pretoria to address the recurring violence.
A key condition raised by Nigeria is South Africa’s ratification of the memorandum of understanding on the early warning mechanism, signed by both countries in Abuja, on October 22, 2025.
Presidency sources said Tinubu has not agreed to receive the South African envoy as at the time of this report, while the outcome of a reported telephone conversation initiated by President Ramaphosa over the weekend remains uncertain.
