The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has handed South African-owned businesses operating in Nigeria a four-day deadline to shut down their operations and leave the country, citing the persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The directive was announced in a statement released on Monday July 6, 2026 in Enugu by the National Executive Director for Corporate and Private Sector Engagement, Bestman Okereafor.
According to Okereafor, the decision was prompted by what the association described as the continued intimidation, harassment and attacks on law-abiding Nigerians residing in South Africa.
He warned that South African businesses must leave Nigeria within four days or face nationwide protests and other actions by NANS members.
The student body said it would mobilise its members across the country to picket South African-owned businesses once the ultimatum expires if its demand is not met.
“The continued attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa are unacceptable. South African businesses cannot continue to enjoy a conducive business environment in Nigeria while our citizens are allegedly being subjected to intimidation and violence in their country,” he said.
NANS also urged the Federal Government and the African Union to intensify diplomatic and political efforts aimed at ending the recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
Okereafor further recalled Nigeria’s role in supporting South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle, stressing that Nigeria deserves respect rather than what he described as hostility and repeated attacks on its citizens.
The association’s ultimatum comes amid renewed concerns over xenophobic violence in South Africa, where reports indicate that some Nigerians have been assaulted, intimidated and killed, while businesses owned by foreign nationals have also been destroyed.
NANS said it expects the relevant authorities to take decisive steps to safeguard Nigerians living abroad and ensure that such incidents do not recur.