RismadarVoice Reporters, September 1, 2026
Vice President Kashim Shettima has warned that Nigeria will no longer tolerate the alleged dehumanisation, humiliation and attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa.
Shettima, who spoke in Luanda, Angola, on Monday, condemned what he described as recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.
The Vice President spoke shortly before leaving Angola for Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
According to a statement issued by the Vice President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said Nigeria had reached a point where it could no longer remain silent over the treatment of its citizens in South Africa.
He stressed that the Nigerian government and people would not accept situations in which Nigerians were subjected to degrading or unacceptable treatment.
Shettima also recalled Nigeria’s historical contribution to the liberation struggles in Southern Africa, saying the country had supported the freedom of countries in the region and therefore expected its citizens to be treated with dignity.
The Vice President said Nigeria would continue to pursue dialogue and diplomatic engagement with South Africa rather than confrontation.
He, however, stressed that Nigeria would make its position clear whenever the situation demanded it.
Shettima said the government was committed to maintaining strong relations with South Africa, but would continue to insist that the rights and dignity of Nigerians be respected.
He also called on South African authorities to ensure that immigration laws were enforced without violating the rights or dignity of individuals.
The Vice President’s comments came after Nigeria raised concerns over recurring attacks against its citizens at the African Union summit.
Nigeria reportedly asked the AU to formally consider the issue at its 40th Ordinary Session scheduled for January 2027.
The Nigerian government has described the attacks as a threat to African unity, solidarity and peaceful coexistence among citizens of the continent.
Shettima has since returned to Nigeria following the conclusion of the AU meeting in Angola.
