Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the response of the Nigerian government to the recent xenophobic tensions in South Africa, accusing the administration of President Bola Tinubu of being slow and ineffective in protecting Nigerians abroad.
In a statement issued on Sunday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the federal government has continued to display what he described as a sluggish approach to matters affecting Nigerian citizens overseas.
The former presidential candidate argued that while Nigeria often presents itself as the “giant of Africa,” other African countries have shown greater urgency and leadership in responding to the latest wave of xenophobic threats.
According to him, countries such as Ghana acted swiftly by evacuating hundreds of their citizens, while Nigeria appeared hesitant and reactive.
“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,” Atiku stated.
“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 further criticised the Nigerian government for what he called a recurring pattern of delayed responses whenever Nigerians abroad face danger.
“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,” he added.
Atiku lamented that Nigerians living in South Africa have repeatedly faced intimidation, harassment, looting and violent xenophobic attacks that have disrupted businesses and endangered lives.
According to him, the federal government’s actions often stop at diplomatic statements and routine engagements without demonstrating decisive leadership.
“Summon diplomats, issue cautious statements, and retreat into bureaucratic inertia until the next crisis erupts,” he said.
“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.”
The former vice president also described it as embarrassing that Ghana, despite having fewer diplomatic resources than Nigeria, projected stronger leadership and concern for its citizens during the crisis.
“A government that waits until other nations have taken the lead before acting sends a dangerous signal. 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.
As part of his recommendations, Atiku urged the Nigerian government to issue a stronger travel advisory, activate evacuation arrangements for willing citizens, intensify diplomatic engagements with South African authorities and work with the African Union to develop a lasting framework against xenophobic violence across Africa.
He also called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to abandon what he described as a slow and ineffective approach to urgent diplomatic matters.
“Africa cannot continue to preach unity while tolerating periodic persecution of fellow Africans. And Nigeria cannot continue to posture as a continental leader while behaving like a reluctant observer,” Atiku concluded.
