Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has criticized the response of the federal government of Nigeria to the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Speaking in a statement on Sunday issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the administration of President Bola Tinubu is always slow in responding to issues affecting its citizens, including the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Atiku said that while Nigeria likes to pride itself as the giant of Africa, other countries are always quick to take decisive action on matters, while Nigeria always reacts instead of leading in moments of continental crisis.
He added that while smaller nations like Ghana have acted decisively in protecting their citizens, by evacuating over 300 distressed citizens following the latest xenophobic threats, Abuja appeared paralysed, reactive, and stripped of the urgency the moment demanded.
“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.
“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. 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 said.
Too Slow, Inefficient
Atiku added that the response of the Nigerian government to the xenophobic attack is belated and short of expectations.
According to him, Nigerians in South Africa have had to endure cycles of intimidation, looting, harassment, and xenophobic hostility that have destroyed businesses, endangered lives, and left families gripped by fear.
The 2027 presidential aspirant argued that Nigeria only “Summon diplomats, issue cautious statements, and retreat into bureaucratic inertia until the next crisis erupts.”
He added that, “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”
“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.
Way Forward
Atiku submitted that the Nigerian government must take concrete steps, including issuing a robust and unambiguous travel advisory, activating efficient evacuation arrangements for willing citizens, intensifying diplomatic engagement with South African authorities, and rallying the African Union towards a lasting continental framework against recurring xenophobic violence.
He specifically called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to shed what he described as its habitual slow-footedness and rise to the demands of a moment in which both lives and national dignity were at stake.
“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 said.