NANS Gives South African Businesses Four Days To Exit Nigeria

Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting

ABUJA, NIGERIA – The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the umbrella body representing Nigerian students, has issued a four-day ultimatum to South African businesses operating in Nigeria, urging them to leave the country.

In a statement signed by its National Executive Director for Corporate and Private Sector Engagement, Mr. Bestman Okereafor, NANS warned that if the ultimatum is not complied with, South African business interests could face nationwide protests and other actions from Nigerian students, whom the association said number more than 43.1 million across the country.

“The attention of the apex students governing body, NANS, has been drawn to continuous attacks, intimidation and subsequent chase of law-abiding, peaceful and hardworking Nigerians and other Africans from 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.

He also said after the expiration of the ultimatum, the student body would consider picketing South Africa business interests, while further actions follow.

He called on the Federal Government and the African Union to take more decisive actions against South Africa for their ”inimical” acts towards other Africans.

“It is on record that Nigeria played a major role in support of South Africa during the apartheid struggle and should never be paid with disloyalty, disrespect and global embarrassment,” he said.

NANS said a wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa over recent months had left many Nigerians and other African nationals physically assaulted, intimidated, humiliated and injured, while some were reportedly killed.

The association also alleged that businesses and properties owned by Nigerians in South Africa were looted, destroyed or set ablaze during the attacks.

According to NANS, those responsible for the violence had earlier issued a June 30 ultimatum directing Nigerians and other African nationals to leave South Africa.

It further noted that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had in recent weeks evacuated hundreds of Nigerians from South Africa as part of efforts to ensure their safety.