President Bola Tinubu has reportedly declined to meet a special envoy sent by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa amid renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa.
According to sources, the delegation, headed by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, arrived in Abuja on Friday, July 24, carrying what officials described as an important message for the Nigerian President.
The visit followed the reported killing of a Nigerian, Chika Ibe, who was allegedly taken from his home at the Parksig Villas Complex in Bellville, Cape Town, and tortured to death by members of the South African Police Service.
Nigeria has consistently condemned xenophobic attacks in South Africa. During the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Lungi, Sierra Leone, Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Tinubu, denounced the attacks and said Nigeria would push for tougher action against xenophobia at the African Union.
Addressing the recurring Afrophobic attacks against African nationals in South Africa, Shettima urged African leaders to work together to safeguard the rights and dignity of citizens living across the continent.
He also revealed that the Federal Government had previously evacuated 1,490 Nigerians affected by xenophobic violence and reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with regional and continental institutions to tackle the problem.
Diplomatic sources said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, advised that it was not the right time for President Tinubu to receive the South African delegation because attacks on Nigerians, their businesses, and properties had continued.
The sources added that the minister maintained the delegation could not secure a meeting with the President without a prior appointment and clear commitments from Pretoria.
She was also said to have insisted that South Africa provide a signed copy of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Early Warning Mechanism, signed by both countries in Abuja on October 22, 2025, before further diplomatic discussions could continue.
According to Nigerian officials, South Africa has yet to ratify the agreement, citing reasons they consider inadequate.
The Early Warning Mechanism was introduced to improve cooperation between both countries in identifying security threats, protecting citizens, and handling consular issues. It also establishes rapid communication channels aimed at preventing criminal acts, reprisals, and xenophobic attacks involving citizens of either nation.
Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the framework could also support compensation claims for Nigerians whose businesses and properties were destroyed during previous xenophobic attacks. However, South African authorities have not compensated the affected victims.
As of the time of this report, Presidency sources said President Tinubu had not agreed to receive the South African envoy.
The outcome of a telephone conversation reportedly initiated by President Ramaphosa over the weekend also remained uncertain.
“Observers believe South Africa’s diplomatic outreach may be driven by concerns over the potential impact of deteriorating relations on South African investments and businesses operating in Nigeria, as well as Nigeria’s growing campaign for tougher continental measures against xenophobia and Afrophobic attacks”, the source said.
