President Bola Tinubu has reportedly refused to grant an audience to a special envoy sent by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, amid renewed outrage over persistent xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians in South Africa.
The South African delegation, headed by the country’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, arrived in Abuja on Friday, July 24, carrying what officials described as an important message from President Ramaphosa.
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The diplomatic visit came shortly after reports emerged of the death of a Nigerian, Chika Ibe, who was allegedly taken from his residence at the Parksig Villas Complex in Bellville, Cape Town, and tortured to death by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Nigeria has consistently condemned xenophobic violence against its citizens in South Africa.
During the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held recently in Lungi, Sierra Leone, Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Tinubu, denounced the recurring attacks and pledged that Nigeria would advocate for tougher African Union measures to combat xenophobia.
Addressing the increasing Afrophobic violence against African migrants in South Africa, Shettima urged African leaders to adopt a united approach to safeguarding the rights, safety and dignity of citizens living across the continent.
He revealed that the Federal Government had previously evacuated 1,490 Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with regional and continental institutions to prevent further violence.
Diplomatic sources disclosed that Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu advised against granting the South African delegation an audience with President Tinubu, citing the continued attacks on Nigerians, as well as the destruction of their businesses and properties.
According to the sources, the minister maintained that the delegation could not meet with the President without a prior appointment and clear assurances from Pretoria regarding the safety of Nigerians.
She was also said to have insisted that South Africa must submit a duly signed copy of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Early Warning Mechanism (EWM), originally signed by both countries in Abuja on October 22, 2025, before further diplomatic engagement could proceed.
South Africa is yet to ratify the agreement, with Nigerian officials describing the reasons provided for the delay as unconvincing. The mechanism was created to enhance cooperation between both countries in monitoring security threats, protecting citizens abroad and improving consular collaboration.
It also provides for rapid information-sharing to help prevent violence, criminal reprisals and xenophobic attacks involving citizens of either nation.
Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the agreement could have strengthened compensation claims for Nigerians whose businesses and properties were destroyed during previous attacks. However, South African authorities have yet to compensate affected victims.
As of the time this report was filed, Presidency sources indicated that President Tinubu had not agreed to receive the South African delegation.
The outcome of a telephone conversation reportedly initiated by President Ramaphosa over the weekend also remained unknown.
According to one source, South Africa’s diplomatic outreach may have been motivated by concerns over the possible impact of worsening bilateral relations on South African businesses and investments in Nigeria, as well as Nigeria’s growing campaign for stronger continental action against xenophobia and Afrophobic violence.
There were earlier indications that President Tinubu had reconsidered his position and planned to meet with the delegation. However, he ater reversed that decision.
“The President reportedly questioned why he should receive the delegation while Nigerians continue to be killed in South Africa. He stood by his decision and declined to meet them,” the source said.
Following the President’s refusal, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, received the South African delegation at the Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja.
Delivering President Ramaphosa’s message, Lamola said the visit was aimed at reaffirming the longstanding friendship and solidarity between Nigeria and South Africa.
Speaking on the attacks against foreign nationals, the South African minister acknowledged Nigeria’s immense contribution to the struggle against apartheid, describing the country’s support as a sacrifice that South Africans would never forget.
“We remain deeply indebted to the people of Nigeria for their sacrifice,” Lamola said.
He added that President Ramaphosa’s administration remained firmly opposed to xenophobia, racism, discrimination, homophobia and every form of intolerance.
Lamola also stressed that while South Africa has the sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws and tackle illegal migration and criminal activities, migration remains a continental challenge that requires collective African solutions under the African Union’s framework for safe and orderly migration.
“We believe Nigeria and South Africa share a common responsibility to confront these challenges together as African partners,” he said.
Responding, Enikanolaiye said President Tinubu approved the meeting to facilitate frank and sincere discussions on the recurring attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa.
The former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Pretoria to take immediate and practical measures to end the persistent Afrophobic violence against Nigerians and other African nationals.
He warned that the repeated attacks threaten the longstanding strategic relationship between Africa’s two largest economies.
Enikanolaiye also recalled Nigeria’s role in supporting South Africa’s liberation from apartheid and highlighted the close cooperation between both countries in transforming the Organisation of African Unity into the African Union, as well as promoting the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
He noted that xenophobic attacks recorded in 1995 have continued to recur in 1998, 2006, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024 and 2026.
According to available records, at least 98 Nigerians have lost their lives in mob-related and hate-driven attacks in South Africa since 2022.
While reaffirming Nigeria’s opposition to criminal activities, Enikanolaiye stated that individuals accused of crimes should face lawful arrest, prosecution and trial instead of mob violence.
“Nigeria does not support drug trafficking or any form of criminality. However, anyone accused of an offence must be treated in line with the rule of law, South Africa’s Constitution and internationally accepted human rights standards,” he said.
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