Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called on the Federal Government to take a tougher stance against South Africa over the recurring xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians, insisting that diplomatic protests alone are no longer enough.
Speaking in Ilawe-Ekiti, Falana urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to impose economic sanctions on South African businesses operating in Nigeria, arguing that the country must respond with the same level of seriousness shown in international diplomacy.
According to the senior lawyer, the repeated attacks on Nigerians and the destruction of their businesses demand more than statements of condemnation. He maintained that Nigeria has a duty to protect its citizens and should embrace the principle of reciprocity if South Africa fails to curb the violence.
Falana specifically encouraged Nigerians to consider switching from South African-owned companies, including telecommunications giant MTN, to available alternatives. He argued that such economic pressure would send a strong message to South African authorities that Nigeria is prepared to defend its citizens and national interests.
The legal icon also proposed the revocation of mining licences granted to South African companies operating in Nigeria, stressing that stronger economic measures would demonstrate the country’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad.
While acknowledging that the Federal Government could file a complaint before the African Union, Falana expressed doubts about its effectiveness, noting that South Africa’s influence within the continental body could limit meaningful action beyond symbolic resolutions.
He further blamed the Nigerian government for failing to provide citizens with stronger legal protection at the continental level. According to him, Nigeria has yet to recognise the jurisdiction of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights for individual petitions, denying victims of xenophobic attacks an important avenue to seek justice.
Drawing parallels with Nigeria’s historic response to apartheid in the 1970s, when British Petroleum was nationalised, Falana insisted that stronger economic actions remain a legitimate option if the attacks persist.
As concerns over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa continue to grow, Falana’s remarks are likely to intensify calls for tougher diplomatic and economic measures to safeguard Nigerian lives and businesses abroad.
#FemiFalana #Xenophobia #SouthAfrica #Tinubu #MTN #Nigeria #BreakingNews #NigeriansAbroad #TrendingNews #Africa
