Vice-President Kashim Shettima has condemned acts of xenophobia against Nigerians in South Africa, saying it is regrettable that citizens of a country Nigeria once supported during the anti-apartheid struggle now face hostility there.
Speaking on Sunday at the 69th Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government in Sierra Leone, Shettima said Nigeria made enormous sacrifices to support the liberation of South Africa from apartheid.
He recalled that, during the struggle against white minority rule, the Nigerian government deducted scholarship allowances from students and mobilised national resources to fund liberation movements in South Africa.
“Our scholarship allowances were deducted to support the fight against apartheid. Nigerians willingly made sacrifices because we believed in the freedom and dignity of our African brothers and sisters,” the vice-president said.
Shettima described xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals as contrary to the ideals of African unity and solidarity, urging leaders across the continent to reject divisive rhetoric and strengthen regional cooperation.
He stressed that Africa’s future depends on greater unity, mutual respect and collective action, rather than hostility among sister nations.
The vice-president also called on ECOWAS member states to deepen economic integration, enhance security collaboration and remain committed to the bloc’s founding principles of peace, democracy and shared prosperity.
His remarks come amid renewed concerns over recurring xenophobic incidents in South Africa, where foreign nationals, including Nigerians, have periodically been targeted in violent attacks, prompting diplomatic tensions and calls for stronger protections.
