Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu says the federal government may review its options toward South African-owned companies operating in Nigeria if xenophobic attacks and harassment of Nigerians in South Africa continue. Speaking on Thursday as concerns grew over worsening anti-migrant violence, she said Nigeria has exercised restraint while pursuing diplomatic engagement with South African authorities. She warned that Nigeria could be compelled to explore other measures if efforts to protect Nigerians abroad do not improve. Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that more than 120 South African companies operate in Nigeria across multiple sectors, naming firms including MTN, MultiChoice (DSTV), Stanbic, and Protea. She also stressed that any response would need to follow constitutional provisions and due legislative processes, with the National Assembly playing a role if diplomatic steps fail. The minister said South Africa discarded an early-warning memorandum of understanding signed in October 2025. Nigeria has also raised concerns about requests for Nigerians, including those with South African spouses and children, to leave South Africa. Earlier, Nigerian lawmakers and political figures called for steps such as revoking licences of some South African firms, in response to renewed attacks.
Nigeria signals possible review of actions against South African firms amid xenophobic attacks
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu says the federal government may review its options toward South African-owned companies operating in Nigeria if xenophobic attacks and harassm...
- Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu says Nigeria may review its options toward South African firms if attacks on Nigerians in South Africa continue.
- She says Nigeria has continued diplomatic engagement and exercised restraint while the situation worsens.
- The minister cites the presence of more than 120 South African companies operating in Nigeria, including MTN, MultiChoice/DSTV, Stanbic, and Protea.
- Odumegwu-Ojukwu says any measures would follow constitutional provisions and due legislative process, with the National Assembly involved.
- She says South Africa discarded an early-warning memorandum of understanding signed in October 2025.
The Federal Government has signalled the possibility of reviewing the operations of South African-owned businesses in Nigeria if ongoing xenophobic attacks and harassment of Nigerians in South Africa continue unabated.Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made this known on Thursday while addressing concerns over the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa and the government’s ongoing […] Xenophobia: Nigerian govt may review its options over rising attacks – Bianca Ojukwu
15 hours agoThe Federal Government has hinted at possible measures against South African companies operating in Nigeria, including telecommunications giant MTN, as outrage grows over the continued harassment and attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this on Thursday, while addressing concerns over the worsening anti-migrant attacks in South Africa and the evacuation of Nigerians from the country. The minister said Nigeria had exercised restraint and continued to pursue diplomatic engagements, but warned that the government might be compelled to explore other options if the attacks persist. “As I indicated before, there are these huge conglomerates. By the way, there are over 120 South African companies operating in Nigeria. “Nobody is asking them to provide proof of identity. Nobody is asking South African staff working there whether they are South Africans or Nigerians, and nobody is taking over their shops or businesses. “But this is happening to Nigerians in South Africa. So, I think that at some point, we really have to review the options available to us. “We have MTN, MultiChoice, Stanbic, Protea and many other South African brands spanning multiple sectors,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said. The minister, however, stressed that any retaliatory measures would have to follow constitutional provisions and due legislative process. She explained that the Federal Government was currently engaging South African authorities through diplomatic channels, while the National Assembly would play a constitutional role in determining Nigeria’s response should those efforts fail. The minister also disclosed that the South African authorities discarded their memorandum of understanding with Nigeria on early warning mechanism which they had signed in October 2025. She added that the pact was essentially to protect the lives and property of both Nigerians and South Africans in times of conflict like this. “When it comes to situations like this, of course, it is necessary to be temperate and exercise caution. But when your citizens are being harassed, when your citizens are people who have spent years there, and mind you, some of them are married to South Africans and have children who have known no other home but South Africa, then it becomes a serious concern. “Now, under these circumstances, they are asking not just Nigerians, but also their South African spouses and their children, to leave South Africa,” the minister said. Recall that in May, th esenator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, called for the revocation of licences of South African companies operating in Nigeria, including MTN and MultiChoice, owners of DSTV, following renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa. The National Assembly also condemned the attacks, urging the federal government to take immediate diplomatic and protective measures to safeguard Nigerian citizens abroad.
16 hours agoNigeria considers action against South African firms like MTN as xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa persist. Foreign Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu Read More: https://punchng.com/xenophobia-nigeria-may-weigh-options-on-south-african-firms-odumegwu-ojukwu/
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