Oshiomhole Calls for Nationalization of MTN in Nigeria

Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State and current senator representing Edo North, has advocated for the nationalization of MTN and other South African companies operating in Nigeria. He made this statement during an interview on Tuesday, emphasizing the need for the Nigerian government to prioritize its citizens amid ongoing xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

Oshiomhole argued that diplomatic engagements have not yielded the desired results and that economic pressure may be necessary to hold South African firms accountable. He insisted that Nigerian shareholders in MTN should retain their stakes and that South African ownership interests should be removed, with a view to returning these companies to Nigerian control.

Oshiomhole's comments come in the wake of renewed violence targeting foreign nationals in South Africa, which he claims has gone largely unpunished. He referenced past diplomatic engagements under former President Muhammadu Buhari that failed to prevent such attacks and criticized the South African government for not adequately condemning the violence.