President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declined to receive a special envoy sent by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, amid renewed concerns over continued xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The South African delegation, led by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, arrived in Abuja on Friday, 24 July, carrying what sources described as a “very important message” for the Nigerian President.
The diplomatic move came less than 24 hours after reports emerged of the alleged killing of a Nigerian citizen, Chika Ibe, in Cape Town. Ibe was reportedly taken from his residence at Parksig Villas Complex in Bellville and allegedly tortured to death by personnel of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Nigeria has continued to express concern over repeated xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa, with the Federal Government calling for stronger continental action to protect African citizens living across the continent.
At the recent 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS in Lungi, Sierra Leone, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Tinubu, condemned the attacks and pledged that Nigeria would advocate for stronger measures against xenophobia through the African Union.
Shettima described the recurring attacks against African nationals in South Africa as a challenge requiring a coordinated continental response. He also revealed that the Nigerian government had evacuated 1,490 citizens affected by previous xenophobic violence and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with regional and international bodies to address the issue.
Diplomatic sources said Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, advised that the timing was not suitable for President Tinubu to meet the South African delegation, given the continued attacks on Nigerians, their businesses, and properties in South Africa.
According to the sources, the minister argued that the delegation could not secure a presidential audience without a prior appointment and clear commitments from Pretoria on addressing the concerns raised by Nigeria.
She was also reported to have requested that South Africa provide a signed copy of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Early Warning Mechanism (EWM), an agreement aimed at improving cooperation between both countries in preventing violence and protecting citizens.
The agreement, signed in Abuja on 22 October 2025, is intended to establish communication channels for identifying and responding to security threats involving foreign nationals, while helping to prevent criminal acts, reprisals, and xenophobic attacks.
Nigerian officials said the mechanism could also have helped support compensation claims for Nigerians whose businesses and properties were destroyed during previous attacks in South Africa. However, South African authorities have reportedly not compensated affected victims.
At the time of publication, Presidency sources said President Tinubu had yet to agree to meet the South African envoy.
The outcome of a reported telephone conversation initiated by President Ramaphosa over the weekend also remained unclear.
Analysts suggest that South Africa’s diplomatic engagement may be influenced by concerns over the impact of strained relations on South African businesses and investments in Nigeria, as well as Nigeria’s growing push for stronger African Union action against xenophobia and Afrophobic violence.
The latest development highlights renewed tensions between two of Africa’s largest economies as both governments face pressure to protect citizens and strengthen diplomatic cooperation.
