President Bola Tinubu declined to receive a special delegation from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa over the ongoing xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, directing the visiting officials to meet instead with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.
The decision comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions between both countries following the renewed attacks that have forced the evacuation of nearly 600 Nigerians from South Africa.
The South African delegation, led by the country’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, had travelled to Abuja seeking an audience with the Nigerian President after arriving in the Federal Capital Territory on Friday. However, rather than granting the meeting, Tinubu instructed the delegation to hold discussions with Ambassador Enikanolaiye, who would subsequently brief him on the outcome of the engagement.
The move underscores Nigeria’s handling of the diplomatic situation as concerns continue to mount over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa. It also comes against the backdrop of a growing diplomatic row triggered by the renewed xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals, prompting the return of hundreds of affected citizens to Nigeria.
According to presidency sources who spoke to the Punch, the South African officials arrived in Abuja on Friday hoping to secure a meeting with President Tinubu. However, officials explained that no prior arrangement had been made for such an audience, making it impossible to grant immediate access to the president.
A presidency source said the request was first communicated to Tinubu, who initially indicated that the delegation could return on Monday. When the delegation sought the meeting on Monday, however, the president directed that they should instead engage with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
“But when Monday came, he simply said they should go and meet the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Enikanolaiye, and whatever they discuss, the minister would brief him,” the source said.
Ambassador Enikanolaiye assumed office as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in June 2026 after Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu was elevated to the position of substantive Minister of Foreign Affairs following the departure of Yusuf Tuggar.
The diplomatic engagement takes place as Nigeria and South Africa grapple with another round of tensions arising from xenophobic violence. The latest attacks have targeted Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa, leading to the evacuation of nearly 600 Nigerians back to the country.
