Tinubu Snubs Ramaphosa, Declines Meeting South African Envoy
President Bola Tinubu has declined to receive a special delegation from South African President Cyril
Ramaphosa amid ongoing concerns over xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians in South Africa.
The South African team, led by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola,
arrived in Abuja on Friday, July 24, 2026, seeking an audience with the Nigerian leader.
Instead, Tinubu directed the delegation to meet with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs,
Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.
Multiple credible Presidency sources confirmed that the President instructed the envoys to engage with
the minister, who would brief him on their discussions.
The decision comes as diplomatic tensions rise following renewed attacks on Nigerians and other African
nationals in South Africa, including the reported killing of a Nigerian citizen, Chika Ibe, in Cape Town.
Nigerian officials have pressed Pretoria for better protection of its citizens and accountability for
perpetrators.
Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu reportedly advised that it was not appropriate for
President Tinubu to receive the envoy without prior notice and concrete commitments from South
Africa.
Nigeria is insisting on the ratification of a signed Memorandum of Understanding on the Early Warning
Mechanism, agreed in October 2025, to strengthen cooperation on security threats and citizen
protection.
The delegation remained in Abuja over the weekend after arrival. The meeting with the minister was
expected to proceed, though the outcome of any direct communication between the two presidents
remained unclear.
The refusal reflects ongoing diplomatic friction rather than a complete breakdown in relations.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
