The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) South‑West Zone D announced on Thursday that it will organise peaceful pickets of South African firms operating in Nigeria. The decision follows recent reports of Nigerian nationals being killed in South Africa amid a wave of xenophobic violence.
In a statement released to the media, Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, coordinator of NANS South‑West Zone D, said the student body is mobilising “decisive and lawful action” to protest against South African business interests in the country. The planned protests will target major corporations, including MTN Group and MultiChoice Group, which the association alleges are benefiting from operations in Nigeria while Nigerians face persecution abroad.
“The continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must end immediately,” Kayode wrote. “It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected domestically, yet Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere. This contradiction will no longer be tolerated.”
The statement comes after Media Talk Africa reported that several Nigerians lost their lives in South Africa during recent xenophobic attacks. The incidents have heightened tension between the two nations, prompting civil society groups and diplomatic channels to call for stronger protection of Nigerian citizens abroad.
NANS, the largest student umbrella body in the country, has a history of activism on issues ranging from educational funding to human rights. The organization said the upcoming pickets will be peaceful and law‑abiding, and that it will engage with relevant authorities to ensure public order is maintained.
South African companies operating in Nigeria have not yet responded to the planned protests. Industry analysts note that South African multinationals, particularly in the telecommunications and entertainment sectors, hold a significant market share in Nigeria. Any disruption to their operations could have economic repercussions for both countries.
Diplomatic representatives from both governments have urged restraint. The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously warned its citizens to exercise caution while traveling abroad, while South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation has expressed concern over the escalation of violence targeting foreign nationals.
The upcoming pickets are scheduled to commence next week, with NANS urging its members and supporters to participate peacefully. The association indicated that it will monitor the situation closely and may seek further legal avenues if the protests do not achieve the desired outcome.
The development underscores ongoing strains in Nigeria‑South Africa relations, highlighting how domestic activist movements can influence broader diplomatic and economic ties. Observers will watch whether the planned demonstrations spur dialogue on protecting citizens abroad and on the responsibilities of multinational corporations operating in volatile contexts.
