Adams Oshiomhole comments on the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, saying Nigerian lives should not be treated as less important than foreign investment. In his remarks, he argues for a more forceful national response linked to MTN, which operates in both Nigeria and South Africa. Oshiomhole states that while MTN is publicly quoted and Nigerian shareholders may retain their holdings, Nigerians should not accept outcomes that he associates with South African rights being “taken away” amid the attacks. He also frames his position as prioritizing human safety over economic considerations, saying foreign investors’ interests should not come before the wellbeing of Nigerians affected by the violence.
The outlet The Punch reports Oshiomhole calls for nationalizing MTN in the context of the attacks, while Vanguard presents similar arguments, emphasizing that Nigerians should not be “sacrificed for foreign investors.” Both accounts present the same core message: the response to the xenophobic violence should place Nigerian lives first and consider changes to how MTN’s ownership and interests are handled.
