Shettima Condemns Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa, Demands Protection for Nigerians
Vice President Kashim Shettima has condemned recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, warning that Nigeria will not accept the humiliation or mistreatment of its citizens.
Shettima spoke in Luanda, Angola, on Sunday, August 30, 2026, after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
The Vice President said Nigeria remained committed to resolving its concerns with South Africa through dialogue, but stressed that the government would continue to speak firmly whenever the safety and dignity of Nigerians were threatened.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
Nigeria calls for stronger protection
Shettima said South African authorities must ensure that immigration enforcement does not come at the expense of human lives and dignity.
He acknowledged the importance of maintaining constructive relations between the two countries, while making clear that certain actions against Nigerians were unacceptable.
The Vice President said Nigeria did not want to escalate tensions with South Africa, but would insist on robust discussions whenever the treatment of its citizens became a concern.
His comments came against the backdrop of renewed concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks involving Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.
Shettima also recalled Nigeria’s historic role in supporting the liberation struggles of Southern African countries, saying it was particularly painful to see Nigerians subjected to humiliation in a country whose liberation Nigeria had supported.
Tinubu takes the issue to the African Union
Shettima’s remarks followed President Bola Tinubu’s intervention at the African Union summit.
In a message delivered by the Vice President, Tinubu raised concerns over recurring attacks against Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa and called for collective action by African leaders.
The President warned that such incidents could undermine the principles of continental solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence.
Tinubu also called on the African Union to place the issue on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session of the Assembly, scheduled for January 2027.
The move signals Nigeria’s intention to push the issue beyond bilateral discussions and seek a broader continental response.
Why the issue matters
Nigeria and South Africa maintain important political, economic and people-to-people ties, but relations have periodically been strained by disputes involving migration, immigration enforcement and attacks against foreign nationals.
For Nigerians living and working in South Africa, concerns over personal safety and discrimination can have direct consequences for their livelihoods and daily lives.
The issue also carries a wider significance for Africa. With millions of Africans living, working and doing business across national borders, attacks based on nationality can undermine efforts to promote greater continental integration.
Shettima therefore urged South African authorities to balance the enforcement of immigration laws with the protection of human rights and dignity.
Nigeria chooses dialogue but draws a line
Despite the strong language, Shettima emphasised that Nigeria would continue to pursue peaceful engagement with South Africa.
He said the government wanted to maintain robust conversations with its South African counterparts rather than unnecessarily inflame tensions.
However, he made it clear that dialogue should not be interpreted as silence in the face of mistreatment.
Nigeria’s position is that its citizens must be treated with dignity and protected from attacks, regardless of the circumstances surrounding immigration enforcement.
What happens next?
With President Tinubu asking the African Union to consider the matter at its January 2027 session, the issue could receive wider continental attention in the months ahead.
For Nigeria, the challenge will be to maintain its longstanding relationship with South Africa while securing stronger guarantees for the safety and dignity of Nigerians living in the country.
The broader question is whether African nations can address migration disputes and security concerns without allowing xenophobia or Afrophobia to weaken the unity and cooperation needed across the continent.
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