Nigeria and South Africa Strengthen Bilateral Ties through Political Consultations, as Nigeria Expresses Concerns Over Xenophobic Attacks
Oru Leonard
The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of South Africa held their inaugural Political Consultations in Abuja, Nigeria, on October 21, 2025. The meeting was co-chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Honourable Thandi Moraka.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, defense, energy, and people-to-people exchanges.
Discussions were also held on regional peace and security issues, including developments in West Africa and Southern Africa, and the need to promote the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
During the Nigeria-South Africa Political Consultations in Abuja, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Co- Chair, lamented the recurring violence and discrimination against Nigerians. She called for stronger commitment and accountability from South African authorities to ensure justice is delivered in pending cases and better protection for Nigerian citizens and businesses. She said the Nigerian government remains worried about the historical and fraternal ties between both countries being undermined by these incidents.
During her response, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Anna Moraka, described the security concerns raised by Nigeria as valid and assured that her government does not condone any form of violence, discrimination, or mistreatment of Nigerians in South Africa.
“I need to assure you, the people of Nigeria, that the position that is championed by Dudula Dudula is not the South African Government position.
“South Africa has always been welcoming to our brothers and sisters, including the citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
She assured that the issues raised are receiving the necessary attention back in South Africa under the leadership of His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa. “We are going to intensify the issue of safeguarding our foreign brothers and sisters who are in South Africa through legitimate means. We are a welcoming country. We are loving and warm people, and we want to encourage our people who want to come to South Africa that let us do that through legal means,” Moraka stated.
The importance of multilateral cooperation was emphasized and reaffirmation of shared commitment to the principles of the United Nations and the African Union.
They agreed to address challenges hindering greater economic integration and to work together to advance common positions on global issues of mutual interest.
Agreements and MOUs signed include:
– A partnership agreement was signed between Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, and South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, to boost investment and technology transfer in the mineral sector.
An MoU was signed between South Africa and Nigeria on Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on January 17, 2025.
The two countries finalized an MoU on the Early Warning Mechanism to address consular and migration issues.
Nigeria and South Africa also considered future cooperation by holding regular political consultations to strengthen bilateral engagements.
A Joint Implementation Committee (JIC), has been established to monitor and evaluate the implementation of agreed decisions.
The two countries welcomed the upcoming G20 Africa Outreach meeting on Industrialization and Agriculture, to be hosted in Abuja on November 3, 2025.
