Nigeria-South African Relations: Beyond Misogyny and Misandrists, Afrophobia and Nigerianophobia

The relationship between Nigeria and South Africa has been significantly influenced by their divergent foreign policies regarding Africa since 1960. Nigeria, for decades, viewed Africa as the central pillar of its foreign policy, a commitment deeply rooted in its stance against apartheid. This policy shifted in May 2026, when Africa ceased to be the centerpiece, with Nigeria and Nigerians becoming the new focus.

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Under no circumstance should apartheid be considered a domestic affair of any country and that Nigerians and the Government of Nigeria owed it a responsibility to declare a total war on apartheid.

Nigeria's foreign policy from 1960 to 1994 was characterized by its strong opposition to apartheid in South Africa. The country considered any harm to black or African people globally as a direct concern for Nigerians. This led Nigeria to adopt an exceptional approach to the principle of non-intervention, as outlined in the UN Charter. Nigeria's then Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Jaja Wachukwu, declared in 1963 that apartheid was not a domestic affair and that Nigeria was obligated to wage total war against it.

This commitment extended to other African nations. Nigeria intervened in the affairs of Togo following the killing of President Sylvanus Olympio, viewing him as a friend of Nigeria and deeming intervention necessary. The Nigerian passport itself, in the early 1970s, reportedly instructed holders to fight apartheid with any available means. The author notes that many contemporary South Africans appear ignorant of these historical facts, which is presented as a backdrop to understanding current 'Nigerianophobia'.

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In the eyes of the then Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, President Olympio was a very good friend of Nigeria and therefore Nigeria had the duty to interfere and intervene to save a friend of Nigeria when in trouble.

Nigeria's foreign policy objectives at independence included promoting the rights of black people worldwide and fostering African integration. Consequently, South Africa was a major consideration. Nigeria maintained strained economic, diplomatic, and cultural ties with apartheid South Africa until its liberation in 1994, meaning there were no direct investments, trade, or commerce during that period. South Africa was viewed as Nigeria's primary adversary until 1994.

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Most unfortunately, most modern-day South Africans are completely ignorant of these verifiable hard facts. It is against this background that South Africa’s Nigerianophobia should first be understood.