President Bola Tinubu has opted not to meet a special delegation from South Africa, led by International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola. This decision follows rising hostility toward Nigerians living in South Africa. Nigerian officials indicated that Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu advised the President against the meeting due to ongoing violence targeting Nigerian nationals and their property.
Abuja is demanding that Pretoria formalize the Early Warning Mechanism agreement signed last October. This pact is intended to monitor security threats and protect foreign citizens, but South Africa has yet to ratify it. Nigeria insists that such a commitment is necessary before high-level diplomatic discussions can move forward.
Tensions have escalated following the death of 42-year-old Nigerian, Chika Ibe, in Cape Town. While South African police claimed Ibe fell ill during an arrest, video evidence appears to show he was shot by officers. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has initiated an inquiry into the incident, which has triggered protests among the Nigerian community.
Vice President Kashim Shettima recently reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens at the regional level. He stated that the federal government has already evacuated nearly 1,500 Nigerians impacted by regional violence and will continue to advocate for stronger protections through the African Union.
