Nigeria Responds Forcefully to Xenophobia: FG Assures Citizens, Lawmakers Plan Retaliation

The Federal Government of Nigeria is considering retaliatory measures against South Africa in response to the ongoing harassment and attacks faced by Nigerians and other African migrants. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, highlighted that while the executive branch is actively pursuing diplomatic channels, the National Assembly has a crucial constitutional role in determining Nigeria’s response should the situation persist or diplomatic efforts prove insufficient. She stated that such measures would fall within the legislature’s responsibilities.

Despite growing concerns over the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa, Nigeria has so far exercised restraint. Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that many Nigerians have lived in South Africa for years, are married to South Africans, and have children who consider South Africa their only home. She reported that some Nigerians, along with their South African spouses and children, are being pressured to leave the country.

The minister drew a stark contrast between the plight of Nigerians in South Africa and the operations of South African companies in Nigeria. She pointed out that over 120 South African companies, including major entities like MTN, MultiChoice, Stanbic, and Protea, operate freely in Nigeria without facing demands for identity proof or harassment, unlike Nigerian businesses in South Africa. This disparity underscores the need for Nigeria to review available options.

Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu warned that the continued anti-migrant attacks are causing severe reputational damage to South Africa internationally. She lamented that these vigilante groups are undoing the legacy of Nelson Mandela, who tirelessly worked to project South Africa as a bastion of Pan-Africanism. The consequences are already evident, with international events such as concerts and conferences being canceled, leading to South Africa being stigmatized as a xenophobic country.

The latest wave of xenophobic attacks has reportedly impacted migrants from various African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. Vigilante groups have been accused of looting businesses, attacking homes, forcing foreign nationals to leave communities, and in some cases, killing victims. The minister criticized the South African government's response as inadequate despite widespread reports of violence.

In response to the escalating crisis, the Federal Government has committed to ensuring that no Nigerian wishing to leave South Africa is left behind. Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu announced that approximately 1,000 Nigerians had registered for evacuation ahead of a June 30 deadline set by anti-immigrant groups. The first batch of 258 Nigerian nationals was successfully transported back to Nigeria on June 11, where they were received by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye.

President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Administration has a clear policy of not abandoning Nigerians facing undue suffering or discriminatory treatment abroad. The President has directed that those in danger in South Africa, who have voluntarily expressed a desire to return home, must be evacuated before the deadline. The government maintains that any retaliatory measures would adhere to due legislative processes, in line with Nigeria's status as a law-abiding nation.

Separately, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu also addressed the situation of 98 Nigerians currently imprisoned in Ethiopia. She confirmed that arrangements are underway for these prisoners, who come from various parts of Nigeria (South-East, South-South, and South-West), to be transferred back home under an existing bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Ethiopia, allowing them to complete their jail terms in Nigeria. She emphasized that