The 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.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com