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Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has condemned xenophobic attacks against African migrants in South Africa, saying concerns over illegal migration should be addressed through the law rather than violence or destruction of property.
Obasanjo made the remarks during an interview on C-Suite Café, aired on September 10, 2026.
The former president also reflected on Nigeria’s financial and diplomatic support for the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa.
He said Nigeria’s involvement was driven by opposition to racial discrimination and the principle that no black person should be treated as inferior because of race, rather than an expectation of reward.
Obasanjo also credited Nigeria’s role in the anti-apartheid campaign with contributing to the eventual dismantling of the system, saying South Africa may not have ended apartheid when it did without Nigeria’s leadership and interventions.
He recalled working with several 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 undocumented migrants in South Africa, Obasanjo said their status did not justify unlawful treatment. He argued that authorities and citizens should not respond to illegal migration with further violations, warning against what he described as using illegality to deal with illegality.
The former president also questioned the destruction of migrants’ homes and businesses by local groups, particularly where such actions are encouraged or permitted. He challenged assumptions that broadly link migrants to crime, asking how many foreign nationals were actually involved in criminal activity compared with those contributing to the economy through job creation.
Obasanjo linked resentment towards migrants to wider governance and economic challenges, arguing that political pressure on the African National Congress and other governments across the continent could fuel anti-immigrant sentiment when citizens’ economic expectations are not being met.
He also said violence against migrants conflicted with efforts to promote African integration and economic cooperation.
His comments come as debate over the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa heightens, where undocumented migration, unemployment, crime and competition for economic opportunities have contributed to tensions involving migrants.
