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There is a saying that “a lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.” But on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, the truth walked into my office in shoes of its own.
On this day, the South African Consulate General in Lagos met with a team of Nigerian DJs and issued them visas to travel to South Africa, where they will perform at various venues across the country. This is to prove that, despite the ongoing protests in South Africa, visas continue to be issued to Nigerians, contrary to widely reported claims by certain media houses that, in the wake of anti-migrant sentiments in South Africa, our Missions in Nigeria have stopped issuing visas to Nigerians – that is fake news.
Let me be categorical – the South African missions in Nigeria have never stopped issuing visas to Nigerian travellers. To suggest otherwise is not only false, it is counterproductive to the very relationship we are working so hard to build between our two nations. Our policy remains unchanged. If an applicant qualifies and meets the requirements, a visa will be issued. If they do not, it will not. It is that simple, and it has always been that way. We do not decline visas unjustifiably, and we do not politicise a consular process that serves students, business people, artists, tourists, and families.
It is unfortunate that a publication by “The Punch” on Saturday, August 01, 2026, sought to revive a two-year-old matter and insert it into today’s discourse. The report referenced the visa rejection of Ayra Starr, a Nigerian singer-songwriter in February 2024. At the time, her application, together with that of her team, did not meet the requirements.
That is a fact. However, what “The Punch” omitted is what happened next. In the spirit of goodwill, the mission in Lagos met with the team, guided them, and allowed them to submit the outstanding documents. They were subsequently all issued one-year visas without further delay. The matter was resolved amicably more than two years ago. What is the relevance of raising it today, except to sow division and spread untruths?
No doubt, to now squeeze that resolved case into the narrative of current anti-migrant protests is opportunistic. It is deceptive and, at best, an attempt to distract from the ongoing engagements between South Africa and Nigeria. It is extremely unethical for any newspaper to fuel division and create an impasse where none exists.
In my recently published opinion piece dated July 30, 2026, titled, “How poor journalism fuels division and distrust” on News Central, I address the dangers of falsehood and how a simple lie can destroy years of unbroken relations between the two countries. We are in a moment where misinformation spreads faster than facts and where headlines are sometimes written to sow division rather than to inform.
Migration, culture, and music are the bridges between our people. Nigerian DJs playing in Johannesburg, South African gospel artists in Lagos, students in Cape Town, traders in Aba — these are the real ties that bind us. To jeopardise that with unverified reports does a disservice to both countries.
We therefore call upon all media houses to please verify facts with us before publication. The South African Consulate General in Lagos and its High Commission in Abuja remain available, accessible, and ready to provide accurate information. Our lines are open. Our doors, like our visa sections, remain open to all Nigerians and other potential travellers.
