The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a four-day ultimatum to South African businesses operating in Nigeria, directing them to leave the country over the continued attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Monday in Enugu by the National Executive Director for Corporate and Private Sectors Engagement, Bestman Okereafor.
Okereafor said South African businesses would face protests by the country’s estimated 43.1 million students if they failed to comply with the ultimatum.
According to him, the decision followed what NANS described as the persistent attacks, intimidation and forced displacement of law-abiding Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
“As the biggest students’ body in Africa, we are giving South African business interests four days to evacuate our beloved country, Nigeria.
“The reason for this action is simple. South Africans cannot continue to oppress and chase our people from their country and expect their businesses to thrive on our soil,” he said.
NANS warned that after the four-day deadline, it would begin picketing South African businesses in Nigeria and consider further actions.
The association also urged the Federal Government and the African Union to take stronger measures against South Africa over what it described as hostile treatment of other African nationals.
Okereafor recalled Nigeria’s support for South Africa during the apartheid era, saying the country deserved gratitude rather than hostility.
“It is on record that Nigeria played a major role in support of South Africa during the apartheid struggle and should never be repaid with disloyalty, disrespect and global embarrassment,” he added.
The ultimatum follows renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks in South Africa, during which Nigerians and other Africans have reportedly been assaulted, intimidated, injured and, in some cases, killed.
Several businesses and properties belonging to Nigerians were also reportedly looted, burnt or destroyed during previous waves of xenophobic violence.
The development comes after reports that perpetrators of the attacks had earlier issued a June 30 deadline for Nigerians and other African nationals to leave South Africa.
In response to the crisis, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has in recent weeks evacuated hundreds of Nigerians from South Africa.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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