Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government over what he described as a slow and weak response to renewed xenophobic tensions in South Africa targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said it was disappointing that Nigeria failed to act swiftly while smaller African countries moved quickly to protect their citizens.
The African Democratic Congress chieftain pointed to Ghana’s decision to approve the evacuation of more than 300 affected citizens, saying Nigeria should have taken a leading role instead of reacting late despite Nigerians being frequent victims of xenophobic violence in South Africa.
According to Atiku, Nigeria’s delayed reaction fell short of the leadership expected from a country often regarded as the “Giant of Africa.”
He said once early warning signs of tension appeared, responsible governments across Africa immediately issued advisories and activated emergency measures for their nationals, while Nigeria responded slowly and without urgency.
Atiku noted that although the Federal Government had now acknowledged the situation and mentioned possible repatriation efforts, the delay raised serious concerns about its commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad.
He argued that the issue was not whether the government eventually spoke up, but whether its response reflected the seriousness of the crisis and the responsibility expected from a nation claiming continental leadership.
The former vice president also recalled repeated cases of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa over the years, saying many citizens had suffered intimidation, harassment, looting and destruction of businesses, while several families continued to live in fear.
He accused successive administrations of handling such crises with routine diplomatic statements and slow bureaucratic actions rather than decisive intervention.
Atiku stressed that protecting citizens anywhere in the world remains one of the core responsibilities of government.
He urged the Federal Government to immediately strengthen travel advisories, begin evacuation plans for willing Nigerians, intensify diplomatic talks with South African authorities and collaborate with the African Union to tackle recurring xenophobic violence across Africa.
He added that Africa cannot continue preaching unity while Africans face repeated persecution in fellow African countries, warning that Nigeria risks losing its influence on the continent if it continues responding passively to attacks on its citizens abroad.
