Xenophobia: Falana urges action against S’African firms in Nigeria

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called for Nigeria to implement economic measures against South African companies operating within its borders in response to persistent xenophobic attacks and destruction of Nigerian businesses in South Africa. Falana believes that diplomatic protests alone are unlikely to compel the South African government to take decisive action.

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The Federal Government will have to employ diplomatic action, but beyond that, it should also adopt economic measures against South African companies operating in Nigeria.

Speaking at a reception in Ilawe Ekiti, Falana advocated for Nigeria to adopt economic countermeasures based on the principle of reciprocity in international relations. He suggested that approaching the African Union for protests might only result in resolutions without concrete enforcement. Falana proposed that if South Africa expels Nigerians and destroys their businesses, Nigeria has a corresponding duty to act.

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International diplomacy is about reciprocity. If they chase out Nigerians and destroy their businesses, Nigeria has a duty to act.

Falana recommended sanctioning South African companies in Nigeria, particularly where viable alternatives exist for Nigerian consumers and businesses. He drew a historical parallel to Nigeria's nationalization of British Petroleum in the 1970s due to apartheid, suggesting a similar approach could be taken with South African investments if necessary. He urged Nigerians to consider alternatives to South African services, such as those provided by MTN, to demonstrate seriousness.

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South African companies here should be sanctioned where there are alternatives.

Furthermore, Falana challenged the Nigerian government to grant its citizens access to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, Tanzania. He argued that victims of xenophobic attacks in South Africa should have the opportunity to seek justice before this continental court, similar to how they can access the ECOWAS Court in Abuja. Falana stressed that allowing access to the African Court would empower victims of gross human rights violations across African nations.

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In the 1970s, because of apartheid in South Africa, Nigeria nationalised British Petroleum. It should also be possible today to nationalise some South African investments in Nigeria if necessary.