The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Africa’s largest student governing body, has issued a four-day ultimatum to South African business interests operating in Nigeria, demanding their immediate evacuation from the country. The directive, announced in a press statement on Monday in Enugu by Comrade Bestman Okereafor, NANS National Executive Director for Corporate and Private Sector Engagement, follows a wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa over the past several months.
A Call for Immediate Withdrawal
In the statement, NANS emphasized that South African businesses cannot continue to exploit Nigerian soil while perpetuating systemic oppression against Africans in their own country. The ultimatum, set to expire in four days, serves as a final warning before NANS activates mass protests, picketing, and other forms of civil disobedience against South African-owned enterprises across Nigeria.
Okereafor stated:
“The attention of NANS has been drawn to the continuous attacks, intimidation, and forced expulsion of law-abiding, hardworking Nigerians and other Africans from South Africa. As the largest student body in Africa, we are giving South African business interests four days to evacuate Nigeria. The reason is straightforward: South Africans cannot oppress our people in their country and expect their businesses to thrive here without consequence.”
The statement further warned that failure to comply would result in targeted protests, economic sanctions, and broader public backlash from Nigeria’s over 43 million students, who are mobilized to enforce the ultimatum.
Historical Context and Moral Imperative
NANS underscored Nigeria’s historical role in supporting South Africa during the apartheid struggle, arguing that the current treatment of Africans in South Africa betrays the spirit of solidarity that once defined African unity. The statement read:
“It is on record that Nigeria played a pivotal role in the fight against apartheid. We cannot, and will not, tolerate disrespect, disloyalty, and global embarrassment from a nation that once stood with us. The African Union and the Nigerian government must take decisive action to hold South Africa accountable for these inhumane acts.”
The Human Cost of Xenophobia in South Africa
The ultimatum comes against the backdrop of brutal and coordinated attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa, which have escalated into massacres, arson, and looting of African-owned businesses. Reports indicate that:
– Nigerians and other Africans have been physically assaulted, robbed, and in some cases, murdered with impunity.
– Businesses, homes, and properties owned by Nigerians in South Africa have been burned down or destroyed, leaving many displaced and destitute.
– Authorities in South Africa issued an ultimatum on June 30, demanding that all Africans leave the country, further exacerbating the crisis.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has since facilitated the repatriation of hundreds of Nigerians who chose to leave South Africa, though many returned barely surviving, having lost lifelong savings, businesses, and personal belongings in the chaos.
Government and AU Response Needed
NANS called on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the African Union (AU) to take urgent, decisive measures to address the crisis. The statement urged:
– Diplomatic intervention to halt further xenophobic violence in South Africa.
– Economic and political sanctions against South African entities complicit in the attacks.
– Protective measures for Nigerians and other Africans still stranded in South Africa.
Broader Implications for African Unity
The ultimatum reflects growing frustration among African nations over South Africa’s failure to address systemic racism and its double standards in treating African migrants. With Nigeria’s student population alone numbering over 43 million, NANS’s mobilization carries significant weight, potentially disrupting South African economic interests in Nigeria, which include trade, investments, and business partnerships.
As the ultimatum’s deadline approaches, the situation remains highly volatile, with NANS warning that any delay in compliance will result in escalated protests across Nigeria’s universities, cities, and major business hubs.
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