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Did Nigeria spend $61 billion supporting South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle?
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Did Nigeria spend $61 billion supporting South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle?

From Premium Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A social media claim suggests Nigeria spent $61 billion supporting South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle.
  • Fact-checkers found historical records and academic sources largely support this estimate.
  • The figure represents cumulative financial, economic, and diplomatic support over decades, not a single payment.

A claim circulating on social media posits that Nigeria expended an estimated $61 billion to support South Africa's fight against apartheid. This assertion has gained significant traction, particularly amid renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa, which have led to the repatriation of hundreds of Nigerians.

The big liars of drug nation Nigeria need to be studied. So Nigeria borrowed Mandela $61 billion from Mandela in the 1960s when Nigeria’s GDP was about $4 billion?

— @MaMhizzyA social media user questioning the validity of Nigeria's $61 billion contribution to the anti-apartheid struggle.

The claim, widely shared on platforms like X and Facebook, has prompted questions about Nigeria's financial capacity during that era. Some social media users have expressed skepticism, questioning how Nigeria could have afforded such a sum when its GDP was considerably lower in the past. For instance, one user pointed out Nigeria's GDP in 1993 was $56.7 billion, questioning the origin of the $61 billion figure.

However, a fact-check by PREMIUM TIMES, referencing a publication by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), largely corroborates the estimate. The SAIIA report, "Giants of Africa Limp Along – South Africa and Nigeria," identifies Nigeria as a key supporter of the anti-apartheid movement. It notes Nigeria's role in establishing the UN Special Committee against Apartheid, the financial contributions from its citizens, and its support for Frontline States.

Nigeria’s GDP was $56.7 billion in 1993. Where did they get $61 billion from?

— @TygerzsAnother social media user expressing skepticism about Nigeria's financial capacity for the anti-apartheid support.

The $61 billion figure is not a single cash transaction but rather an accumulation of Nigeria's financial, economic, and diplomatic assistance over several decades leading up to the end of apartheid in 1994. This comprehensive support was acknowledged by former South African President Nelson Mandela, who, in a 1990 visit to Nigeria, thanked the Nigerian government and its people for their generous financial and material contributions to the liberation struggle, including scholarships for South African students.

have been among the most generous donors

— Nelson MandelaFormer South African President Nelson Mandela acknowledging Nigeria's financial and material support for the anti-apartheid movement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Premium Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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