President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly turned down a meeting with a special envoy from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa due to ongoing worries about recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians residing in South Africa.
The delegation, led by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, arrived in Abuja on July 24, bringing what sources indicated was an important message for the President.
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This decision is influenced by the recent reported killing of Nigerian citizen Chika Ibe, who was allegedly abducted from his home in Bellville, Cape Town, and tortured to death by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
At a recent ECOWAS summit in Sierra Leone, Vice President Kashim Shettima, standing in for President Tinubu, condemned the attacks and stated that Nigeria would advocate for stronger measures against xenophobia within the African Union.
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Diplomatic sources indicated that Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu recommended against proceeding with the meeting, stressing that South Africa must first ratify and deliver the signed Memorandum of Understanding on the Early Warning Mechanism (EWM), which was agreed upon by both nations in October 2025, before any further diplomatic discussions occur.
This agreement aims to enhance cooperation in protecting citizens, preventing xenophobic violence, and addressing consular issues. Nigerian officials also believe it could bolster compensation claims for victims of past attacks.
