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Xenophobia: There’ll be consequences for any Nigeria harmed, FG warns S’Africa
Henceforth, any Nigerian harmed in your country will be met with direct consequences – was the direct message Nigeria sent to South Africa on Thursday in response to the xenophobic attacks that has been sweeping across the country in recent times.
The message was conveyed by Bianca Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, her first major assignment since being elevated from the position of Minister of State to substantive position by President Bola Tinubu, last week.
Bianca, former ambassador to Switzerland, used her social media platform to convey how she called
Ronald Lamola, her South African counterpart to pass the stance of the Nigerian government, over recent anti-migrant protests and growing anti-foreigner sentiments in parts of South Africa.
In a post on her X platform, she informed of her conversation with her opposite number in Johannesburg to raise the concern, adding that the immediate priority of the country was to evacuate Nigerians willing to return home following fears triggered by the series of protests, including the latest demonstration held in Durban on May 6.
Giving details of her telephone conversation with her counterpart, she said: “I maintained that our Government cannot stand by and watch the systematic harrasment and humiliation of our nationals resident in SA as well as the extra-judicial killings of our people, and that the evacuation of our citizens who want to return home remains our Government’s priority at this time,” she wrote.
Ojukwu noted that although the Durban protest did not turn violent due to heavy security presence, Nigerians were advised by the Nigerian mission to close their shops and remain indoors for safety reasons.
“Yesterday’s protests in Durban did not record acts of violence as there was heavy security presence. However, Nigerians were advised to close their shops and businesses and stay largely indoors by Mission.
“Our discussions also centered on the violent and indiscriminate rhetoric and actions of South Africa’s anti-foreigner political parties which puts the lives and properties of Nigerian and other Nationals at risk, but which conversely might also have the effect jeopardising the safety of South African interests in Nigeria. Nigerians have exercised, and continue to demonstrate commendable restraint, in their response to the ongoing crisis.
“Hon. Lamola informed that the SA authorities recognise that they have a responsibility to protect these innocent children and doing their utmost through education supervisory bodies to discourage these practices.”
She revealed that President Bola Tinubu had directed Nigerian missions in South Africa to immediately establish a crisis notification unit for distressed citizens, while advising Nigerians facing threats to first contact South African security authorities
Justice Akintoye Aluko of the Federal High Court, Lagos on Tuesday ordered the remand of Paul Jibrin Oweleke in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged cybercrime offences linked to social media broadcasts that allegedly called for overthrow of President Bola Tinubu.
Specifically, Oweleke, in a two-count charge was accused of publishing posts on his online platform known as “Oweleke TV”, urging the Nigerian military to remove the President from office in a manner similar to takeovers in some West African countries, an act the agency said bordered on incitement and the use of a computer system to disseminate content considered prejudicial to national security and constitutional governance.
Oweleke’s broadcasts, the agency stressed, were capable of inciting public disorder and promoting disaffection against the government, which will undermine the country’s democracy.
Legal argument had ensued immediately after Oweleke, pleaded not guilty to the charges, with his lawyer kicking vehemently against the prayer of the agency that the court should order his remand pending the commencement of trial, on the ground that a bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution.
But Aluko, who was persuaded to grant the prayer, went with the DSS, while adjourning the matter to June 16 for the hearing of the bail application, stating that Oweleke, would remain in the facility of the agency pending the outcome.
By June 29 all medical doctors in public hospitals in Nigeria will drop their stethoscopes and other instruments of healthcare, unless the Federal Government settles all unpaid allowances, salary arrears, delayed training funds, and worsening welfare concerns of its members across the country’s health sector.
This was the notice served to the government on Monday, through The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), the umbrella under which the doctors operate, after rising from Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) held in Kano.
In the 21-day ultimatum to the government, the doctors warned that it would not be able to guarantee industrial harmony if the issues remain unresolved within the 21-day period.
In the resolution conveying their position, signed by Mohammad Suleiman, President, Shuaibu Ibrahim, Secretary-General, and Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, Publicity and Social Secretary, on Friday, the body regretted that government had failed to fulfil several commitments to doctors despite repeated assurances and engagements.
“The association hereby declares an industrial dispute with the federal government of Nigeria on the outlined matters above and cannot guarantee industrial harmony after the 21-day window period given to address all the demands,” the communique reads.
The association said it is giving the federal government the 21-day window to commence concrete actions towards the development and implementation of a national healthcare workers assault prevention and response protocol
and the initiation of the necessary legislative process to address the menace.
NARD also demanded the release and payment of the 2026 medical residency training fund (MRTF) to all eligible resident doctors nationwide within the next 21 days.
The association questioned the unpaid salary and promotion arrears in several federal and state health institutions, as well as discrepancies in professional allowances reflected in members’ May 2026 salaries.
It highlighted the welfare issues affecting house officers, including salary delays, unpaid arrears, and difficulties with internship placement and onboarding processes that remain unresolved.
It also accused Motunrayo Omidiran, executive chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), of delaying the issuance of letters of compliance to federal health institutions, noting that the delay has hampered recruitment efforts, manpower shortages, and brain drain in the sector.
NARD expressed worries about the increasing assaults, harassment, intimidation, and violent attacks against doctors while on duty, demanding the arrests, investigation, and prosecution of perpetrators.
It called for the establishment of a national healthcare workers’ assault prevention and response protocol within 21 days by the federal government and security agencies.
Abuja has switched into chest-beating mode, two days to June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day, while celebrating the milestones it claims President Bola Tinubu has achieved in the last three years in office.
Top officials of the government, were on hand on Monday to marshal out the wins of the President during an engagement with media men across the country, with Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, declaring that Nigeria had since left its hitherto fragile status and moving steadily toward long-term prosperity.
His take is that despite pains associated with ongoing reforms embarked by the President, he said available evidence point to a nation on the path of recovery, growth and institutional strengthening, adding that the celebration of Nigeria’s 27th anniversary of uninterrupted democratic governance and the third year of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration, remained significant.
Idris, who described Democracy Day as a historic moment for national reflection, accountability and celebration of the sacrifices that secured democratic governance in Nigeria, also recognised Tinubu’s efforts in restoring democracy to Nigeria, while paying tribute to late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (M.K.O.) Abiola, the symbol of Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
His words: “The 2026 Democracy Day celebration carries special significance because it coincides with the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration, providing an opportunity to assess the impact of government policies and reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Twenty-seven years of uninterrupted democratic governance is a milestone worthy of celebration. It reflects the determination of Nigerians to uphold democratic values, strengthen institutions and build a more prosperous nation.”
George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who represented President Tinubu, told his audience: “Government will never claim that every challenge has been solved. Inflation has been painful, insecurity still threatens lives and livelihoods, and the effects of reform do not land evenly or immediately.
“However, evidence shows that Nigeria is moving in the right direction,from fragility toward firmer footing, from stop-gap actions toward systemic reform, and from scattered interventions toward a more connected programme of delivery.
“President Tinubu remains fully aware of difficulties confronting citizens and is committed to ensuring that the benefits of reforms became more visible. Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, remains on a positive trajectory over the last two quarters. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, said the economy recorded a growth rate of 4.07 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 3.89 per cent in the first quarter of 2026.
“The figures demonstrate growing investor confidence, increased market activity and improving productive exchange across sectors. President Tinubu signed four major tax reform laws in June 2025 to simplify compliance, enhance transparency and boost domestic revenue generation. “Since the Student Loan Act was signed into law in April 2024, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, has supported over 1.058 million students nationwide.
“More than N184 billion had been disbursed for tuition and upkeep allowances, describing the initiative as one of the most impactful interventions in the education sector. The public impact analysis shows that over 1.058 million students have already benefited from the scheme.”
Showcasing the figures on the reach of its social protection programmes, the SGF stated that the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, designed to support 15 million households, had reached over three million vulnerable households by August 2025.
He stressed that nearly one million Nigerians across the country’s 774 local government areas had benefited from interventions under the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme and CreditCorp, which he said, had also expanded access to formal credit, with over 200,000 Nigerians benefiting and N37 billion disbursed in 2025 alone.
On healthcare, the SGF said the administration has intensified efforts to improve access to quality medical services through implementation of the National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA Act, and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
He disclosed that resources had been provided to support more than 8,000 primary healthcare centres, with plans underway to expand coverage to 13,000 facilities nationwide.
The President, he added, had directed mandatory health insurance implementation across ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, to deepen health coverage.
Akume also highlighted anti-corruption gains recorded by the administration, noting that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, have continued to recover stolen assets and prosecute offenders.
He revealed that the EFCC contributed over N50 billion in recovered funds to support the student loan programme.
In what he described as a major international endorsement of Nigeria’s reform efforts, the SGF announced that the country was officially removed from the Financial Action Task Force, FATF, grey list in October 2025, following improvements in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks.
“Accountability in this administration is sacrosanct,” he declared.
On security, Akume said the government remains committed to defeating terrorism, banditry and other criminal threats.
He noted that while insecurity had not been completely eradicated, significant progress is being made through increased investment in security agencies, enhanced regional cooperation and improved operational capacity of the Armed Forces.
“The good news is that we are succeeding,” he stated.
Akume commended members of the military and security agencies for their sacrifices and urged Nigerians to play more active roles by reporting suspicious activities to authorities.
According to him, “security must become our collective national project.”
The SGF stressed further the importance of national cohesion, religious tolerance and shared values in sustaining democracy.
He disclosed that the Federal Executive Council, FEC, had approved the National Values Charter to promote discipline, citizenship, reciprocity, service and tolerance across society.
He also reaffirmed government support for the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC, as a platform for strengthening Christian-Muslim relations and national stability.
Looking ahead, Akume signalled the administration’s intention to seek a renewal of its mandate in the 2027 general elections, insisting that government remains focused on completing reforms initiated since 2023.
“Our responsibility is to finish what we commenced in 2023. As we approach the 2027 election cycle, we shall scale what is working. Our task is not completed yet, and under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, more dividends of democracy will be delivered,” he said.
He described June 12 as more than a symbolic date, saying it represents both the memory of democratic sacrifice and the obligation of elected leaders to remain accountable to the people.
“This government is prepared to be judged by evidence,” Akume said, as ministers lined up to present sector-by-sector reports on the administration’s performance.
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