Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the federal government’s response to renewed anti-immigrant tensions in South Africa.
At least two Nigerians have been killed since anti-foreigner tensions intensified in South Africa last month.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Phrank Shaibu, his senior special assistant on public communication, Atiku said it was embarrassing that Nigeria appeared to have been “shamed into action” while smaller African countries moved swiftly to protect their citizens.
The former vice president said the government of Ghana had demonstrated urgency by approving the evacuation of more than 300 distressed citizens following the latest wave of xenophobic threats.
He said the Nigerian government had been hesitant and reactive despite the country’s diplomatic stature on the continent.
“It is deeply troubling that Nigeria, a country that prides itself as the leader of the Black world and the giant of Africa, once again found itself reacting instead of leading in a moment of continental crisis,” the statement reads.
“When the first signs of danger emerged, smaller African nations acted with clarity, compassion, and urgency.
“Ghana moved decisively. Others issued strong advisories and activated protective mechanisms for their nationals.
“But Nigeria, whose citizens have historically borne the brunt of xenophobic violence in South Africa, moved with the lethargy that has become the defining trademark of this administration.”
Atiku said the issue was not whether the federal government eventually responded, but whether the response reflected urgency and leadership.
“Yes, the government has now spoken. Yes, repatriation talks have been mentioned,” he said.
“But the critical question remains: why did it take external pressure and the decisive action of others before Nigeria found its voice? This is not about whether the government eventually responded.
“It is about whether that response reflected the urgency, seriousness, and leadership expected of a responsible government. By every objective standard, it did not.”
The former vice president said Nigerians in South Africa had endured repeated cycles of intimidation, harassment, and xenophobic hostility for years.
“Businesses have been destroyed. Lives have been endangered. Families have lived in fear,” he said.
“Yet successive Nigerian responses have followed the same tired script — summon diplomats, issue cautious statements, and retreat into bureaucratic inertia until the next crisis erupts.”
Atiku said a government’s primary responsibility is the protection of its citizens.
“A government that waits until other nations have taken the lead before acting sends a dangerous signal: that the lives of its citizens are negotiable,” he said.
“It is frankly humiliating that Ghana, with far fewer diplomatic resources and citizens abroad, projected stronger leadership and clearer compassion than Nigeria in this moment.”
He urged the federal government to issue a strong travel advisory, activate evacuation arrangements for willing Nigerians, and intensify diplomatic engagement with South African authorities.
Atiku also called on the African Union to establish a lasting continental framework against xenophobic violence.
“Africa cannot continue to preach unity while tolerating periodic persecution of fellow Africans,” he said.
“And Nigeria cannot continue to posture as a continental leader while behaving like a reluctant observer.”
The former vice president asked the ministry of foreign affairs to demonstrate urgency and competence in handling the situation.
Meanwhile, over 130 Nigerians in South Africa have voluntarily registered for repatriation following attacks targeting foreign nationals in the country.
