The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government has hinted at possible measures against South African companies operating in Nigeria, including telecommunications giant MTN, as outrage mounts over the continued harassment and attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa.
Naija News reports that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this on Thursday while addressing concerns over worsening anti-migrant attacks in South Africa and the ongoing evacuation of Nigerians from the country.
The minister said Nigeria had exercised restraint and continued to pursue diplomatic engagement but warned that the government might be compelled to consider other options if the attacks persist.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that more than 120 South African companies currently operate in Nigeria without facing the kind of treatment Nigerians are subjected to in South Africa.
“As I indicated before, there are these huge conglomerates. By the way, there are over 120 South African companies operating in Nigeria,” she said.
“Nobody is asking them to provide proof of identity. Nobody is asking South African staff working there whether they are South Africans or Nigerians, and nobody is taking over their shops or businesses.
“But this is happening to Nigerians in South Africa. So, I think that at some point, we really have to review the options available to us.”
The minister specifically mentioned major South African brands operating in Nigeria.
“We have MTN, MultiChoice, Stanbic, Protea and many other South African brands spanning multiple sectors,” she added.
Despite the strong remarks, the minister stressed that any retaliatory action would have to comply with constitutional provisions and due legislative processes.
She explained that the Federal Government was currently engaging South African authorities through diplomatic channels, while the National Assembly would play a constitutional role in determining Nigeria’s response if diplomatic efforts fail.
“When it comes to situations like this, of course, it is necessary to be temperate and exercise caution,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also disclosed that South African authorities had abandoned a Memorandum of Understanding signed with Nigeria in October 2025 on an early warning mechanism.
According to her, the agreement was designed to protect the lives and property of both Nigerians and South Africans during periods of tension and conflict.
The minister expressed concern over reports that some Nigerians, including those married to South Africans, were being pressured to leave the country.
“When your citizens are being harassed, when your citizens are people who have spent years there, and mind you, some of them are married to South Africans and have children who have known no other home but South Africa, then it becomes a serious concern,” she said.
“Now, under these circumstances, they are asking not just Nigerians, but also their South African spouses and their children, to leave South Africa.”
The minister’s comments come weeks after the senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, called for the revocation of licences belonging to South African companies operating in Nigeria, including MTN and MultiChoice, owners of DStv.
The National Assembly had also condemned the attacks and urged the Federal Government to take immediate diplomatic and protective measures to safeguard Nigerians living abroad.
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