President Bola Tinubu has declined to receive a special envoy dispatched by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa amid growing concerns over persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

The South African delegation, led by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, arrived in Abuja on Friday, July 24, with what was described as a "very important message" for the Nigerian leader.

The development comes less than 24 hours after the reported killing of a Nigerian national, Chika Ibe, who was allegedly picked up from his residence at Parksig Villas Complex in Bellville, Cape Town, and tortured to death by personnel of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Nigeria has maintained a firm stance against xenophobic attacks in South Africa. At the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS in Lungi, Sierra Leone, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Tinubu, condemned the attacks and pledged that Nigeria would push for stronger measures against xenophobia at the African Union.

Speaking on the recurring Afrophobic attacks targeting African nationals in South Africa, Shettima called for a united continental response to protect the rights and dignity of Africans living across the continent. He disclosed that the Federal Government had evacuated 1,490 Nigerians affected by previous xenophobic violence and reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to working with regional and continental institutions to address the crisis.

Diplomatic sources disclosed to News Express this Monday morning, July 27, 2026, that Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, advised that it was not an appropriate time for President Tinubu to receive the South African envoy, citing the continued attacks on Nigerians, their businesses and properties in South Africa.

According to the sources, the Foreign Affairs Minister stressed that the South African delegation could not secure an audience with the President without a prior appointment and concrete commitments from Pretoria.

She was also said to have insisted that South Africa must present a signed copy of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Early Warning Mechanism (EWM), which both countries signed in Abuja on October 22 last year, before further diplomatic engagement can proceed.

South Africa has reportedly failed to ratify the agreement, citing what Nigerian officials described as inadequate reasons.

The Early Warning Mechanism was designed to strengthen cooperation between both countries in monitoring threats of violence, protecting citizens, and addressing consular matters. It also provides for rapid communication channels to de-escalate security risks involving foreign nationals and to prevent criminal acts, reprisals and xenophobic attacks against citizens of either country.

Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the framework could have facilitated compensation claims for Nigerians whose businesses and properties were destroyed during xenophobic attacks in South Africa. However, South African authorities have so far declined to compensate victims of the attacks.

Presidency sources said that as of the time of filing this report, President Tinubu had yet to agree to meet the South African envoy. The outcome of a telephone conversation reportedly initiated by President Ramaphosa over the weekend also remained unclear.

Observers believe South Africa's diplomatic outreach may be driven by concerns over the potential impact of deteriorating relations on South African investments and businesses operating in Nigeria, as well as Nigeria's growing campaign for tougher continental measures against xenophobia and Afrophobic attacks.

Update news