Fani-Kayode Urges South Africa to End Stereotyping, Calls for Stronger Bilateral Ties
Fani-Kayode Urges South Africa to End Stereotyping, Calls for Stronger Bilateral Ties
…Former minister says crime should not define Nigerians, blames poverty and external interests for rising anti-immigrant tensions
Former Minister of Aviation and Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has called on South African authorities to end what he described as the blanket stereotyping of Nigerians, insisting that criminal activities involving a few individuals should not be used to malign an entire nation.
In the fifth and concluding part of his opinion series, “A Bond That Must Never Be Broken,” Fani-Kayode argued that Nigeria and South Africa must preserve their historic partnership through diplomacy, mutual respect and stronger bilateral cooperation despite current tensions over attacks on foreign nationals.
Citing comments by Stockholm-based Nigerian writer Kio Amachree, the former minister alleged that anti-immigrant campaigns in South Africa were being driven by hidden interests rather than genuine grassroots concerns.
He referenced academic and political opinions suggesting that organisations behind anti-immigrant protests may be receiving external funding, while also recalling former South African President Thabo Mbeki’s description of the movement as a “funded counter-revolutionary project.”
According to Fani-Kayode, South African authorities should investigate those financing such campaigns instead of allowing divisions among Africans to deepen.
He also linked the unrest to broader geopolitical interests, citing an opinion article by Israeli columnist Grant Arthur Gotchin which advocated the fragmentation of African states, arguing that forces seeking to divide the continent could be exploiting anti-immigrant sentiments.
Addressing allegations frequently levelled against Nigerians in South Africa, Fani-Kayode questioned what he described as attempts to portray all Nigerians as undocumented migrants, drug traffickers or criminals.
He maintained that the overwhelming majority of Nigerians living in South Africa are law-abiding residents who contribute meaningfully to the country’s economy through legitimate businesses and professional services.
The former minister cited official figures from South Africa’s correctional authorities indicating that Nigerians account for only a small fraction of the country’s foreign prison population, arguing that such statistics contradict claims that Nigerians dominate criminal activities.
He also referred to recent high-profile drug trafficking and corruption cases involving South African nationals, including law enforcement officials, to underscore his argument that organised crime is not exclusive to any nationality.
According to him, while some Nigerians have been involved in criminal activities, Nigeria does not condone such conduct and supports efforts to prosecute offenders within the framework of the law.
He, however, cautioned against using isolated criminal cases to stigmatise an entire community.
Fani-Kayode also criticised the treatment of Nigerian journalist Ireti Bakare-Yusuf during a ministerial briefing in South Africa, describing the response of government officials to her questions as inappropriate and inconsistent with diplomatic engagement.
He said Nigerians residing legally in South Africa deserve protection and respect, noting that many have established families, businesses and professional careers while contributing positively to their host communities.
The former minister argued that South Africa’s current challenges stem more from poverty, unemployment and unequal wealth distribution than from immigration.
He dismissed suggestions that migration constitutes a national crisis, pointing out that foreign nationals represent only a small percentage of South Africa’s population.
According to him, migrants have become convenient scapegoats for deeper socio-economic problems that require structural solutions rather than xenophobic rhetoric.
Fani-Kayode stressed that addressing poverty, inequality and unemployment would significantly reduce tensions and hostility toward African migrants.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s desire to maintain cordial relations with South Africa, describing both countries as strategic partners whose cooperation remains essential to Africa’s development.
The former minister paid tribute to several South African anti-apartheid leaders, including Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Steve Biko, Chris Hani, Thabo Mbeki, Desmond Tutu and Winnie Mandela, saying their legacy should continue to inspire African solidarity.
He also commended South African leaders who have consistently promoted dialogue, mutual respect and Pan-African cooperation despite recent controversies.
Fani-Kayode maintained that extremists and groups promoting hatred should not be allowed to undermine the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and South Africa.
Speaking in his capacity as Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa, he pledged to prioritise the protection of law-abiding Nigerians resident in the country while working to strengthen diplomatic, economic and cultural relations between both nations.
He concluded that the challenges surrounding migration and crime should be addressed through responsible diplomacy, effective law enforcement and sustained dialogue rather than through the stigmatisation of an entire nation, stressing that Nigeria remains committed to a relationship founded on mutual respect, shared prosperity and Pan-African unity.
By TimesNG