An Open Letter to the Government and People of South Africa over recurring Anti-Nigerian and Xenophobic Narratives

By Engr. Yeigagha Henry JP

I write with a deep sense of concern regarding the recurring anti-Nigerian sentiments and xenophobic narratives that have increasingly found expression within sections of South African society. While every nation reserves the right to protect its sovereignty, enforce its laws, and safeguard its citizens, no nation should permit prejudice against an entire people based on the actions of a few individuals.

The portrayal of Nigerians as the source of South Africa’s socio-economic challenges is not only unfair but also dangerously misleading. Crime, unemployment, poverty, inequality, and social unrest are complex issues that cannot be attributed to any single nationality. To do so is to oversimplify serious national challenges and divert attention from the difficult but necessary task of addressing their root causes.

Nigerians living in South Africa are not a homogeneous group. They include professors, doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, students, clergymen, skilled workers, and countless law-abiding residents who contribute positively to the South African economy and society. Like citizens of every nation, a few may engage in criminal conduct, but justice demands that individuals be held accountable for their actions; not entire communities condemned because of their nationality.

It is equally important to recall the shared history between our two nations. During the struggle against apartheid, Nigeria stood firmly on the side of justice and freedom. Nigeria committed enormous diplomatic, political, and financial resources in support of South Africa’s liberation. Millions of Nigerians proudly identified with the anti-apartheid movement because they believed that the freedom of South Africans was a moral obligation for all Africans.

That support was not rendered as a favour but as an expression of African solidarity. It was rooted in the conviction that Africans must stand together against oppression, discrimination, and injustice wherever they occur.

Today, it is painful to witness Nigerians becoming targets of hostility, intimidation, and, at times, violence. One of the most disturbing aspects of this hostility is the level of brutality that has been witnessed over the years. The world has seen shocking images and reports of foreign nationals, including Nigerians, being attacked, beaten, burnt alive, stripped naked, publicly humiliated, displaced from their homes, and having their shops and businesses looted or set ablaze. In some tragic cases, innocent people have lost their lives simply because they were foreigners.

These incidents have not only wounded the victims and their families but have also tarnished South Africa’s image as a nation built upon the principles of freedom, equality, and human dignity. The painful irony is that a people who once suffered under the cruelty of discrimination now find themselves accused of subjecting fellow Africans to acts of intolerance and dehumanization.

The resilience and patience demonstrated by Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the face of repeated provocations should not be mistaken for weakness. Despite the destruction of businesses, loss of livelihoods, physical assaults, and even deaths, many have continued to pursue peace, lawful engagement, and constructive coexistence. South Africa has tested the patience and resolve of Nigerians and other foreign nationals on numerous occasions. Yet, they have consistently chosen the path of restraint, peace, and respect for the rule of law.

This letter is not a call for special treatment. Nigerians are not above the law and should never be. Those who violate South African laws should face the full consequences of the law. However, lawful enforcement must never give way to collective blame, ethnic profiling, mob justice, or xenophobic violence. Criminal responsibility is individual, not national.

I respectfully urge the South African Government to continue speaking firmly against xenophobia, strengthen protections for foreign nationals, and ensure that perpetrators of violence against migrants are identified, prosecuted, and punished. Equally, political leaders, community organizations, and opinion influencers must refrain from rhetoric that fuels resentment and hostility toward fellow Africans.

Nigeria and South Africa are not rivals. They are two of Africa’s most important nations, bound together by history, shared struggles, and common aspirations. The future of the African continent depends significantly on cooperation between our peoples. Division weakens us all; unity strengthens us all.

At a time when Africa seeks greater economic integration, regional stability, and global relevance, we cannot afford to allow prejudice and misinformation to define relations between Africans. The challenges confronting our continent require collaboration, not scapegoating; partnership, not hostility.

Let us therefore reject the politics of hatred and embrace the spirit of African brotherhood. Let us remember that the dream of a prosperous and united Africa can only be realized when Africans see one another not as strangers or competitors, but as partners in a common destiny.

May wisdom prevail over prejudice, justice over discrimination, and unity over division. Africa must stand united.