Nigeria’s Federal Government says it is considering raising the issue of recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa with the African Union (AU). Multiple reports cite statements by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, who says the matter is becoming a wider continental concern and that African countries must do more to protect Nigerians and other nationals from such attacks. The government frames the potential move as seeking a more lasting solution, including the possibility of coordinating continental action through the AU rather than handling the matter only through bilateral channels.
The reports describe the initiative as being discussed publicly ahead of any formal decision, with Nigeria indicating that it may take steps to engage the AU to address the underlying drivers of xenophobia and improve protections for affected Nigerians in South Africa. The coverage focuses on the government’s consideration of AU intervention following repeated incidents and associated risks for Nigerian residents and travellers.
