President Bola Tinubu has formally raised concerns over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa, calling on the African Union (AU) to take urgent action.
Tinubu made Nigeria’s position known through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Luanda, Angola.
The President urged African leaders to place the issue on the agenda of the 40th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly scheduled for January 2027, while stressing the need to protect the safety, dignity and rights of African nationals across the continent.
“Nigeria wishes to express its concern over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa,” Tinubu said.
While acknowledging South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, he maintained that the attacks “undermine African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence” and should receive urgent continental attention.
Tinubu also called for stronger efforts to tackle xenophobia and Afrophobia through dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action.
The President further addressed Africa’s security challenges, throwing his support behind the Luanda Action Plan and arguing that preventing conflicts is more cost-effective and sustainable than dealing with them after they erupt.
He also warned that the involvement of foreign military forces, mercenaries and private defence contractors could weaken African ownership of peace and security initiatives.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has explained Tinubu’s ongoing three-week vacation, saying the break is intended to allow him to rest and “refuel” ahead of a period of intense political activities.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, said Tinubu had been heavily engaged with governance over the past six to seven months and needed time to recharge ahead of the 2027 campaign season.
Dare added that governance would continue while the President monitors affairs from his vacation.
The development has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians, with some welcoming the President’s intervention on xenophobic attacks while others questioned the timing and priority of the issue.
@ObiHerbert: If your leading the country well people won’t be travelling to south Africa
@IsholaSamodAnikulapo: Abi he dey mad ni….. with everything wey dey happen for Nigerian abi
@IkehChimaobiInfinity: This man 🙄 Trying all means to put distraction ahead of 2027 election 😒
@YakubuFaith: Tinibu we are hungry here ooh
@OnochieChinyereRuth: He wan cover the drugs deal matter ?? Because no be today we get issue with south Africa
@MogodiMoi: He needs to face the FBI and DEA and that 399 page long evidence file
@WossWobi: Really. So all this while, na wen election won reach him dey react. Jus nice.
@StephenEmmanuelEdwin: Na now day break for him eyes
@KutaiAnika: Mtcheeew
