Vice President Kashim Shettima has warned that Nigeria will no longer tolerate the dehumanisation of its citizens by any government, following reports of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
Shettima issued the warning on Monday while speaking to journalists shortly before departing Luanda, Angola, for Nigeria after the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).
Nigeria’s Position On The Attacks
The Vice President condemned the reported attacks and mistreatment of Nigerians in South Africa, while stressing that the Nigerian government would not accept situations in which its citizens are subjected to degrading or unacceptable treatment.
Shettima, however, indicated that Nigeria’s response would include continued engagement with South African authorities rather than an immediate escalation of tensions.
He said Nigeria wanted to have “very robust conversations” with its South African counterparts over the issue.
Shettima’s Warning
Shettima linked Nigeria’s concerns to the country’s historical role in supporting the liberation struggles in southern Africa.
“We were part of the struggle for the liberation of our brothers and sisters in southern Africa.”
He said Nigeria was therefore personally pained by reports of Nigerians being subjected to humiliation.
The Vice President added that the Nigerian government and people would no longer accept situations in which Nigerians were “dehumanised” or placed in what he described as unacceptable circumstances.
Nigeria’s Historical Connection To Southern Africa
The historical reference formed an important part of Shettima’s response.
He recalled Nigeria’s involvement in the struggle for the liberation of countries and peoples in southern Africa and used that history to underline his concerns about the treatment of Nigerians in the region.
His comments therefore placed the current issue within the broader historical relationship between Nigeria and southern African countries.
The statement, however, did not provide further details about specific diplomatic measures Nigeria intends to take over the reported attacks.
A Warning With A Diplomatic Approach
Despite the strong language used in condemning the treatment of Nigerians, Shettima also emphasised the need for dialogue.
He said Nigeria did not want to “overheat the polity” and would instead continue working through engagement with South African authorities.
“Once in a while you have to make it very clear, vehemently clear, that certain situations are unacceptable, and we’ll work things out.”
The position therefore combines a firm rejection of the reported treatment of Nigerians with an expressed willingness to resolve the matter through diplomatic conversations.
What The Position Means
Shettima’s remarks signal that the Nigerian government considers the reported dehumanisation of its citizens unacceptable and expects South African authorities to address concerns surrounding their treatment.
At the same time, his call for robust conversations indicates that Nigeria’s stated approach, based on the comments provided, is to raise the issue directly while maintaining diplomatic engagement.
The Vice President also urged South African authorities to protect lives and uphold human dignity while enforcing the country’s immigration policies.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus will be on how the Nigerian and South African authorities address the concerns raised over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals.
For now, Shettima has made Nigeria’s position clear: the government will not accept the dehumanisation of Nigerian citizens, while remaining committed to dialogue with South African authorities.
His comments came after the African Union’s 21st Extraordinary Session in Luanda, where he had been participating before his departure for Nigeria.
