Tinubu Declines Meeting with South African Envoys

On July 24, 2023, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa dispatched Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola and a team as envoys to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. However, President Tinubu declined to meet with them, keeping them waiting throughout the weekend.

On the following Monday, they were instead directed to meet with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, due to the absence of substantive Minister Bianca Odimegwu-Ojukwu, who was attending a meeting in Addis Ababa. The Nigerian side explained that there was no prior notice given to President Tinubu.

Enikanolaiye expressed concern over the recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, noting that these incidents have persisted for over two decades. He emphasized that many Nigerians, who have legitimate reasons to be in South Africa, have been unfairly targeted.

The Nigerian government's diplomatic response indicates a subtle rejection of the South African envoys, reflecting Nigeria's displeasure over the treatment of its citizens abroad.