The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Africa's largest student body, has given South African business interests operating in Nigeria a four-day ultimatum to leave the country.
In a statement issued on Monday in Enugu by Mr. Bestman Okereafor, NANS National Executive Director for Corporate and Private Sectors Engagement, the group expressed strong outrage over ongoing xenophobic attacks, intimidation, and displacement of Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.
Okereafor warned that failure to comply with the deadline would result in South African businesses facing the wrath of over 43.1 million Nigerian students nationwide. He emphasized that South Africans cannot continue to oppress and expel Nigerians from their country while expecting their own enterprises to operate freely in Nigeria.
“As the biggest students’ body in Africa, we are giving South African business interests four days to evacuate our beloved country, Nigeria,” the statement read. “The reason for this action is simple.”
NANS announced plans to begin picketing South African-linked businesses immediately after the ultimatum expires, with additional measures to follow. The group also urged the Federal Government of Nigeria and the African Union to take stronger action against South Africa for what it described as “inimical” treatment of fellow Africans.
Okereafor highlighted Nigeria’s historical support for South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle, arguing that such contributions should not be met with “disloyalty, disrespect, and global embarrassment.”
Recent months have seen renewed xenophobic violence in South Africa targeting Nigerians and other African nationals. Incidents have included physical assaults, injuries, killings, and the destruction or burning of Nigerian-owned businesses and properties. Perpetrators reportedly issued an ultimatum for Nigerians and other Africans to leave South Africa by June 30.
In response, the Nigerian government has facilitated the evacuation of hundreds of its citizens from South Africa via special flights and has demanded justice for those harmed.
This latest move by NANS reflects heightened public frustration and recurring patterns of retaliatory pressure on South African companies—such as MTN, Shoprite, and Multichoice—during periods of xenophobic unrest. Similar student-led threats and actions have occurred in past episodes.
The development adds to diplomatic strains between the two nations, even as authorities on both sides have previously cautioned against reprisal attacks that could harm innocent civilians and economic ties.
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