President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly declined to receive a special envoy sent by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa amid renewed concerns over persistent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
The delegation, led by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, arrived in Abuja on Friday, July 24, with what sources described as an important message for the President.
The development follows the reported killing of Nigerian citizen Chika Ibe, who was allegedly taken from his residence in Bellville, Cape Town, and tortured to death by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
At the recent ECOWAS summit in Sierra Leone, Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Tinubu, condemned the attacks and pledged that Nigeria would push for stronger African Union measures against xenophobia.
Diplomatic sources said Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu advised against the meeting, insisting South Africa must first ratify and present the signed Memorandum of Understanding on the Early Warning Mechanism (EWM), signed by both countries in October 2025, before further diplomatic engagement.
The agreement is aimed at improving cooperation on citizen protection, preventing xenophobic violence, and addressing consular issues.
Nigerian officials also believe it could strengthen compensation claims for victims of previous attacks.
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