Tinubu Agrees to Meet South African Envoy After Ramaphosa’s Intervention

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Cyril Ramaphosa

Tinubu Agrees to Meet South African Envoy After Ramaphosa’s Intervention

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reversed his earlier decision and agreed to receive the South African special envoy, following a telephone conversation with President Cyril Ramaphosa over the weekend. The South African delegation, led by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, arrived in Abuja on Friday, July 24, 2026, with what was described as a “very important message” for the Nigerian leader. The delegation had reportedly been left waiting at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja after being unable to secure an audience with President Tinubu.

The initial refusal to receive the South African envoy came amid growing concerns over persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa. The diplomatic standoff was further intensified by the alleged killing of a Nigerian national, Chika Ibe, who was reportedly taken from his residence at Parksig Villas Complex in Bellville, Cape Town, and tortured to death by personnel of the South African Police Service (SAPS). Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, advised that it was not an appropriate time for President Tinubu to receive the South African envoy, citing the continued attacks on Nigerians, their businesses, and properties in South Africa. According to diplomatic sources, she stressed that the South African delegation could not secure a presidential audience without a prior appointment and concrete commitments from Pretoria.

A key condition set by Nigeria is the ratification of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Early Warning Mechanism (EWM) , which both countries signed in Abuja on October 22, 2025. The agreement was designed to strengthen cooperation between both countries in monitoring threats of violence, protecting citizens, and addressing consular matters. It also provides for rapid communication channels to de-escalate security risks involving foreign nationals and prevent xenophobic attacks. South Africa has reportedly failed to ratify the agreement, citing what Nigerian officials described as inadequate reasons. Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the framework could have facilitated compensation claims for Nigerians whose businesses and properties were destroyed during previous xenophobic attacks in South Africa. However, South African authorities have so far declined to compensate victims.

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Following back-channel moves by South African authorities, including a call initiated by President Ramaphosa over the weekend, President Tinubu agreed to meet with the delegation. The meeting is expected to hold later, with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, playing a crucial role in the absence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is currently in Addis Ababa. The diplomatic engagement comes as South Africa faces growing pressure over anti-immigrant protests and the treatment of foreign nationals. Lamola has been engaging leaders on the continent to explain Pretoria’s approach to migration management and efforts to prevent violence against foreign nationals.

Nigeria has maintained a firm stance against xenophobic attacks in South Africa. At the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, held recently in Lungi, Sierra Leone, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Tinubu, condemned the attacks and pledged that Nigeria would push for stronger measures against xenophobia at the African Union. Shettima called for a united continental response to protect the rights and dignity of Africans living across the continent and disclosed that the Federal Government had evacuated 1,490 Nigerians affected by previous xenophobic violence. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with regional and continental institutions to address the crisis. Observers believe South Africa’s diplomatic outreach may be driven by concerns over the potential impact of deteriorating relations on South African investments and businesses operating in Nigeria, as well as Nigeria’s growing campaign for tougher continental measures against xenophobia. South African companies with significant investments in Nigeria include major firms in telecommunications, banking, and retail sectors, which could face heightened scrutiny if tensions persist. The meeting between Tinubu and the South African envoy is expected to provide an opportunity for both countries to address the concerns and strengthen bilateral engagement on migration management, diplomatic cooperation, and the protection of nationals affected by recent tensions.