President Bola Tinubu has escalated Nigeria’s concerns over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa to the African Union, calling for collective action by African leaders.

The President’s position was conveyed by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, on Sunday, August 30, 2026.

According to a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Nigeria urged the AU to place the issue on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session of the Assembly scheduled for January 2027.

Nigeria said the recurring attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa undermine African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence.

While acknowledging South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws and its contributions to the continent, Tinubu called for stronger efforts to protect the safety, dignity and rights of African nationals.

Nigeria also urged African leaders to strengthen measures against xenophobia and Afrophobia, with the President highlighting dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action as necessary to preserve continental unity.

The appeal comes days after 67 more Nigerian returnees arrived in Lagos from South Africa, amid concerns over the treatment of Nigerians and other African nationals in the country.

At the AU session, Nigeria also backed the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as a roadmap for strengthening conflict prevention across Africa.

Tinubu argued that preventing conflicts was more cost-effective and sustainable than managing them after they erupt. He further warned that increasing reliance on foreign military forces, mercenaries and private defence contractors could weaken African-led conflict prevention mechanisms.

The President called on arms-producing and exporting countries to work with African states to prevent weapons and ammunition produced in their territories from being diverted to terrorists and other non-state armed groups.

Nigeria also supported sustainable and predictable financing for AU peace operations and the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719.

Tinubu urged African leaders to recommit to home-grown solutions, stronger cooperation and shared responsibility in tackling the continent’s security challenges.