Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has urged the Federal Government to impose economic measures against South African companies operating in Nigeria over recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and the destruction of their businesses in South Africa.
Falana said diplomatic protests alone might not compel the South African government to take decisive action against attacks targeting Nigerians, urging the Federal Government to adopt measures based on the principle of reciprocity in international relations.
The senior advocate made the call on Saturday, August 1, 2026, while speaking with journalists in Ilawe Ekiti after a reception held in honour of the late Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi.
According to him, the Federal Government’s decision to approach the African Union over the attacks may not produce meaningful results, as it could end with the adoption of resolutions without concrete enforcement.
“The Federal Government will have to employ diplomatic action, but beyond that, it should also adopt economic measures against South African companies operating in Nigeria,” Falana said.
He argued that international diplomacy is guided by the principle of reciprocity and insisted that Nigeria should respond firmly to attacks on its citizens and their businesses.
“If they chase out Nigerians and destroy their businesses, Nigeria has a duty to act. South African companies here should be sanctioned where there are alternatives,” he said.
Falana specifically encouraged Nigerians to consider switching from MTN to alternative telecommunications providers as a peaceful form of economic pressure.
“Where there are alternatives, Nigerians should be encouraged to migrate from MTN because there are alternatives. That is one way South Africa will know that Nigeria is serious,” he added.
He also recalled that Nigeria nationalised British Petroleum during the apartheid era in South Africa, arguing that similar measures could be considered against South African investments if necessary.
Falana further called on the Federal Government to grant Nigerians direct access to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, Tanzania.
According to him, Nigeria has yet to deposit the required instruments that would enable its citizens to institute cases before the continental court.
He said that if Nigerians had access to the court, victims of xenophobic attacks could have sought justice against South Africa through the legal process.
“I challenge the government of Nigeria to allow citizens access to the African Court without any further delay. Victims of gross human rights violations in African countries should have the opportunity to seek justice before the continental court, just as they can at the ECOWAS Court,” Falana said.
