President Bola Tinubu declined to meet a special delegation sent by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa over the ongoing xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, directing the team to instead meet with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.
Presidency sources said the delegation, led by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations, Ronald Lamola, had sought an audience with Tinubu after arriving in Abuja on Friday.
The President later instructed them to engage the foreign affairs minister, who would brief him on the outcome.
During the meeting, Enikanolaiye condemned the recurring attacks on Nigerians, citing dozens of deaths and past evacuations, and urged South Africa to protect migrants and uphold due process.
Lamola reaffirmed South Africa’s opposition to xenophobia while insisting the country would continue enforcing its immigration laws.
The visit comes amid worsening diplomatic tensions following renewed attacks on Nigerians, which have triggered mass evacuations and prompted Nigeria to consider retaliatory measures.
Ramaphosa’s envoy said the mission was aimed at easing tensions and strengthening bilateral dialogue ahead of the African Union summit.
