The Nigerian Youth Unions Government (NYUG), in partnership with the Emerging Leaders Forum of Nigeria (ELFON), has called for the withdrawal of South African businesses and nationals from Nigeria, citing the recent wave of alleged xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the National President of the Nigerian Youth Unions Government, Amb. Godstime Chukwubuikem Samuel, said the group could no longer tolerate what it described as the continued harassment, killings and destruction of businesses belonging to Nigerians in South Africa.
According to Samuel, the latest incidents have left many Nigerians devastated and require a stronger response from both governments.
“We have noted with severe pain, those we helped during the Apartheid days have now used us as a tool of mockery, torture and dehumanisation.
“It would have been tolerable if our people (Nigerians) were only asked to leave South Africa, but their businesses were destroyed, our citizens killed in cold blood. It’s very painful,” he said.
Samuel said the coalition of youth organisations resolved at an emergency meeting attended by leaders of ethnic youth associations, public interest groups and student unions to issue what it described as a quit notice to South Africans living in Nigeria.
“We join all well-meaning Nigerians to call on all South Africans living in Nigeria to leave our country on or before August 10, 2026,” he stated.
The youth leader also urged the Federal Government, particularly the Ministries of Interior, Labour and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Nigeria Immigration Service, to revoke all work permits, residence permits, study permits, expatriate quotas, CERAP approvals and other official authorisations granted to South African nationals.
He further demanded that major South African-owned companies operating in Nigeria—including MTN, MultiChoice (DStv and GOtv), Stanbic IBTC Bank, Protea Hotels and Shoprite—cease operations and leave the country on or before August 10.
“Rising from our emergency meeting this afternoon with heads of eminent ethnic youth associations, public interest groups and student unions all under the Nigerian Youth Unions Government in partnership with the Emerging Leaders Forum of Nigeria (ELFON), we hereby further order that MTN, MultiChoice (DStv and GOtv), Stanbic IBTC Bank, Protea Hotels, Shoprite and all other South African-owned companies operating in Nigeria should leave Nigeria on or before August 10, 2026,” Samuel declared.
The group also expressed sympathy to families of Nigerians reportedly killed during the alleged xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
“We commiserate with the families of deceased Nigerians who lost their loved ones in the acclaimed xenophobic attack in South Africa,” he said.
Samuel criticised the Federal Government’s reported N500,000 assistance to affected Nigerian returnees, describing the amount as inadequate.
“The Federal Government’s paltry N500,000 compensation to the affected Nigerian returnees from South Africa is quite laughable.
“Nigerian lives are worth far more than N500,000 and we will engage the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management to do better,” he said.
He also urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to provide Nigerians with an update on negotiations with the South African government regarding compensation for lives lost and businesses allegedly destroyed during the attacks.
“Nigeria Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must in record time, come out clear on negotiations with South African government over compensation to Nigerian businesses destroyed in South Africa and lives lost,” Samuel added.
The NYUG president disclosed that the group would formally present its notification letters to both the South African Embassy in Nigeria and the Federal Government.
“We will be taking our order and notification letters to the South African Embassy and our Federal Government,” he said.
