President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to South Africa for the 11th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) was a significant diplomatic event aimed at strengthening ties between Africa’s two largest economies. While the visit yielded several positive outcomes, including visa reforms and renewed commitments to bilateral cooperation, a glaring omission has left many in the Nigerian diaspora feeling overlooked and undervalued.
In his capacity as President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially visited South Africa twice without any engagement with the Nigerian community. The absence of a formal meeting between President Tinubu and members of the Nigerian community in South Africa is a missed opportunity that raises concerns about the administration’s engagement with its citizens abroad. His first visit was in June 2024 for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2nd term inauguration and this recent BNC working visit.
This oversight is particularly troubling given the context of historical tensions and the ongoing challenges Nigerians living in South Africa face.
Firstly, the Nigerian community in South Africa has long grappled with issues of xenophobia and discrimination. A meeting with the President would have provided a platform for these concerns to be aired directly to the highest level of government, demonstrating a commitment to protecting Nigerian citizens abroad. Instead, this omission may be interpreted as a lack of priority given to diaspora affairs, which is one of the boldly embedded principles in the Tinubu government’s 4D strategic foreign policy document spelt out as Democracy, Development, Demography and Diaspora. With a diaspora remitting over $22 billion annually into Nigeria, it will surely be more profitable for the government to pay more attention to this group of Nigerians.
Secondly, the Nigerian community in South Africa represents a valuable resource for strengthening bilateral ties. Many successful professionals, entrepreneurs, and academics contribute significantly to both economies. Engaging with this community could have provided President Tinubu with invaluable insights into the practical challenges and opportunities of Nigeria-South Africa relations at the grassroots level.
A direct dialogue with President Tinubu during his visit could have served as a crucial opportunity for the Nigerian diaspora to voice their concerns at the highest level of government.
Moreover, such a meeting would have served as a morale booster for Nigerians in South Africa, reinforcing their connection to their homeland and potentially encouraging increased remittances and investments in Nigeria. It would have also sent the South African government a strong message about Nigeria’s commitment to its citizens’ welfare abroad.
While the diplomatic achievements of the visit, such as South Africa’s support for Nigeria’s G20 bid and the signing of new Memoranda of Understanding, are commendable, they should not come at the expense of direct engagement with the Nigerian diaspora. The government’s focus on high-level diplomacy must be balanced with attention to the needs and concerns of ordinary Nigerians living abroad.
The visa reforms announced by President Ramaphosa, including five-year multiple-entry visas for Nigerian business people and streamlined tourist visa applications, are positive steps. However, these reforms also highlight the need for President Tinubu to discuss their implementation and potential impact with the Nigerian community directly.
Looking forward, it is critical for the Nigerian government to recognize the strategic importance of diaspora engagement in its foreign policy. Future state visits should include dedicated time for meetings with Nigerian communities abroad. This would address the concerns of Nigerians living in host countries and harness the diaspora’s potential to advance Nigeria’s interests internationally.
While President Tinubu’s SA Visit has yielded diplomatic fruits, the failure to meet with the Nigerian community represents a significant oversight. The ongoing and inconclusive unification endeavour of the Nigerian community in South Africa led by the Nigeria High Commission can equally not serve as justification. As Nigeria seeks to assert its leadership on the continent and globally, it must not forget the importance of connecting with its citizens abroad. The voices of Nigerians in the diaspora are integral to shaping a comprehensive and effective foreign policy that truly represents the interests of all Nigerians, both at home and abroad.
