Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Federal Government has warned that it may review the operations of South African-owned businesses in Nigeria if persistent attacks and harassment of Nigerians living in South Africa continue.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this on Thursday while addressing concerns over the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa and ongoing efforts to protect affected citizens.
She said Nigeria had continued to pursue diplomatic engagement and exercise restraint despite growing concerns over anti-migrant violence.
However, she noted that the government was assessing available options should the situation worsen.
“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 stressed that any action by Nigeria would be guided by constitutional provisions and due process, noting that the National Assembly would play a role in determining the country’s response if diplomatic efforts failed.
She also revealed that South African authorities had abandoned an early warning mechanism agreement signed with Nigeria in October 2025.
According to her, the arrangement was designed to safeguard the lives and property of citizens of both countries during periods of tension.
“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,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the government remained committed to diplomatic engagement while closely monitoring developments, expressing concern over the impact of the situation on affected families and communities.
