Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over what he described as a slow and weak response to renewed xenophobic tensions in South Africa.
Atiku said it was embarrassing that Nigeria, often referred to as the “Giant of Africa,” appeared hesitant in responding to threats against its citizens in South Africa while smaller African countries acted more quickly to protect their nationals.
The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, made the remarks in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, amid rising concerns over reports of anti-immigrant threats and tensions in South Africa.
According to Atiku, the government of Ghana showed leadership and urgency by approving the immediate evacuation of more than 300 distressed citizens following the latest wave of xenophobic threats.
He said Nigeria, on the other hand, appeared reactive and lacked the urgency expected from a country with strong diplomatic influence on the African continent.
“It is deeply troubling that Nigeria, a country that prides itself as the leader of the Black world and the giant of Africa, once again found itself reacting instead of leading in a moment of continental crisis,” the statement said.
Atiku argued that while other African nations moved quickly by issuing travel advisories and activating emergency measures for their citizens, Nigeria delayed action despite its citizens being among the major targets of past xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
“When the first signs of danger emerged, smaller African nations acted with clarity, compassion, and urgency. Ghana moved decisively. Others issued strong advisories and activated protective mechanisms for their nationals,” he stated.
“But Nigeria, whose citizens have historically borne the brunt of xenophobic violence in South Africa, moved with the lethargy that has become the defining trademark of this administration.”
The former vice president questioned why the Federal Government only appeared to react after pressure mounted and after other African countries had already taken visible action.
“Yes, the government has now spoken. Yes, repatriation talks have been mentioned. But the critical question remains: why did it take external pressure and the decisive action of others before Nigeria found its voice?” he asked.
Atiku said the issue was not merely whether the government eventually responded, but whether the response reflected seriousness, urgency and leadership.
“This is not about whether the government eventually responded. It is about whether that response reflected the urgency, seriousness, and leadership expected of a responsible government. By every objective standard, it did not,” he added.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, leader also criticised what he described as the repeated pattern of weak responses by Nigerian authorities whenever xenophobic attacks occur in South Africa.
According to him, Nigerians living in South Africa have for years endured intimidation, harassment, looting and attacks without strong protection from their home government.
“For years, Nigerians in South Africa have endured recurring cycles of intimidation, harassment, looting, and xenophobic hostility. Businesses have been destroyed. Lives have been endangered. Families have lived in fear,” he stated.
He said successive Nigerian governments often follow the same approach during such crises by summoning diplomats and issuing statements without taking stronger action.
“Yet successive Nigerian responses have followed the same tired script—summon diplomats, issue cautious statements, and retreat into bureaucratic inertia until the next crisis erupts,” he said.
Atiku stressed that the primary responsibility of any government is to protect its citizens, regardless of where they are located.
“A government’s first obligation is the protection of its citizens—wherever they may be. A government that waits until other nations have taken the lead before acting sends a dangerous signal: that the lives of its citizens are negotiable,” he added.
He further described it as humiliating that Ghana, which he said has fewer diplomatic resources and citizens abroad, projected stronger leadership and compassion than Nigeria during the crisis.
“It is frankly humiliating that Ghana, with far fewer diplomatic resources and citizens abroad, projected stronger leadership and clearer compassion than Nigeria in this moment,” he said.
The former vice president urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to abandon what he called its “habitual slow-footedness” and act more decisively during emergencies involving Nigerians abroad.
He called on the Federal Government to issue a stronger travel advisory, organise evacuation arrangements for Nigerians willing to return home and increase diplomatic engagement with South African authorities.
According to him, Nigeria should also work with the African Union to develop a lasting continental framework against xenophobic violence.
“Nigeria must go beyond half-measures. The federal government must issue a robust and unambiguous travel advisory, activate efficient evacuation arrangements for willing citizens, intensify diplomatic engagement with South African authorities, and rally the African Union toward a lasting continental framework against recurring xenophobic violence,” he stated.
Xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals, especially Africans, have remained a major issue in South Africa for several years.
Nigerians have frequently been among the victims of attacks targeting immigrants, with businesses looted, homes destroyed and lives lost during outbreaks of violence in cities such as Johannesburg and Durban.
The violence is often linked to claims by some South Africans that foreign nationals are taking jobs, committing crimes or placing pressure on public services. However, rights groups and African leaders have repeatedly condemned such attacks, describing them as unlawful and harmful to African unity.
Past incidents of xenophobic violence have also strained diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa, two of Africa’s biggest economies.
In 2019, widespread attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa triggered outrage in Nigeria, leading to protests, diplomatic meetings and the evacuation of some Nigerians back home.
At the time, the Nigerian government arranged emergency flights to evacuate citizens who wished to return.
South African authorities have repeatedly promised to tackle xenophobic violence and prosecute those responsible for attacks, but concerns remain over recurring tensions.
Atiku’s latest criticism adds to growing political debate over the Federal Government’s handling of foreign policy and the welfare of Nigerians abroad.
As reactions continue, many Nigerians are calling for stronger protection measures, quicker diplomatic responses and firmer action whenever citizens face threats outside the country.