Obasanjo condemns xenophobia in South Africa

Ex- President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticised xenophobic attacks against African migrants in South Africa, saying illegal migration should be addressed through the law rather than violence or destruction of property.

Obasanjo spoke during an interview on C-Suite Café, where he also recalled Nigeria’s financial and diplomatic support for the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.

The former president said “Nigeria’s involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle was based on principle and opposition to racial discrimination, rather than an expectation of reward.”

Our correspondent who retrieved the over one hour long interview on Monday noted that it was dated September 10, 2026.

He said the principle behind Nigeria’s support was that “no black person should be treated as inferior” because of race.

Obasanjo also argued that Nigeria’s role was significant to the eventual dismantling of apartheid, saying that “without the country’s leadership and interventions, South Africa would not have ended the system when it did.”

He recalled working with international and African leaders during the struggle, including former United States Representative Andrew Young, former British Prime Minister James Callaghan, former Mozambican President Samora Machel and former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda.

On the treatment of migrants in South Africa, Obasanjo said “the existence of undocumented migrants did not justify unlawful actions against them.”