Africa
By Wealth Ufford
A Public Affairs analyst, Kenny Okolugbo, has called for the imposition of sanctions on South African companies operating in Nigeria.
Okolugbo said in an interview with Arise TV on Wednesday that Nigeria should impose sanctions on South Africa in response to the attacks and the killings of Nigerian citizens in South Africa.
According to him, the Federal Government should impose higher taxes on South African companies operating in Nigeria, making it more difficult for the companies to conduct business in Nigeria.
He said that such measures would send a strong message that Nigeria would not tolerate the mistreatment of its citizens abroad.
Okolugbo expressed disappointment with South African President’s response to the attacks, arguing that it failed to reassure the affected Nigerians and that it may have emboldened the perpetrators.
He said that many Nigerians, who had built lives and businesses in South Africa were being forced to return home to start afresh.
He also recalled Nigeria’s support for South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle, stressing that it was painful to see Nigerians being targets of violence in South Africa.
On taking South Africa to the International Court of Justice, ICJ, he argued that legal proceedings at the international court could take years and that immediate action is what is needed to address the plight of Nigerians affected by the attacks.
He maintained that economic measures remained the most effective way to pressure South African authorities to act decisively.
The discussion also highlighted concerns over illegal migration, urging Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad to follow legal immigration procedures.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian authorities have concluded plans to evacuate Nigerian citizens willing to return from South Africa following the wave of Afrophobic attacks in South Africa.
W.U
June 10, 2026
Tags: Kenny Okolugbo