President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly declined to receive a special envoy dispatched by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a move that signals growing diplomatic strain between Africa’s two largest economies following renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
According to reports, the South African envoy had been sent to Abuja to convey President Ramaphosa’s message and discuss the worsening security situation affecting foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, amid a recent wave of anti-immigrant violence and protests in South Africa. However, President Tinubu reportedly refused the meeting, underscoring Nigeria’s dissatisfaction with Pretoria’s response to the recurring attacks.
The development comes days after Tinubu strongly condemned the xenophobic violence, describing the attacks as “totally unacceptable” and urging African leaders to speak with one voice against intolerance and violence targeting fellow Africans.
The Nigerian government has in recent months adopted a tougher stance on the issue. Earlier, Tinubu directed Nigerian diplomatic missions in South Africa to establish crisis response mechanisms for Nigerians under threat, while the Federal Government warned that it would not tolerate any humiliation or harm to its citizens abroad.
The renewed tensions follow weeks of anti-foreigner demonstrations in parts of South Africa, where undocumented migrants and foreign-owned businesses have increasingly become targets of hostility. Nigerian authorities have monitored the situation closely and have previously considered evacuation measures for citizens if conditions deteriorate further.
Nigeria and South Africa have historically maintained strategic political and economic ties, but relations have repeatedly been tested by outbreaks of xenophobic violence targeting Nigerians and other African nationals. Previous diplomatic crises over similar attacks have led to the recall of envoys, official protests, and retaliatory demonstrations.
Neither the Nigerian Presidency nor the South African government had issued a detailed official statement on the reported refusal at the time of publication.
