Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government’s reaction to the renewed wave of xenophobic tension in South Africa, describing the response as slow and lacking the urgency expected from a country of Nigeria’s stature.

In a statement released by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said it was disappointing that Nigeria appeared to act only after other African nations had already taken steps to safeguard their citizens.

He pointed to Ghana’s swift decision to approve the evacuation of more than 300 of its nationals amid rising anti-immigrant threats, contrasting it with what he called Nigeria’s delayed action despite Nigerians being frequent targets of xenophobic violence in South Africa.

According to him, Nigeria’s position as a leading voice on the continent should reflect in how quickly it reacts when its citizens face danger abroad. He argued that while the government has since spoken about possible repatriation efforts, the delay raised concerns about its preparedness and sense of responsibility.

Atiku recalled that Nigerians living in South Africa have repeatedly faced harassment, intimidation, destruction of businesses and threats to their safety over the years, with official responses often limited to diplomatic gestures that fail to prevent future incidents.

He stressed that protecting citizens, regardless of where they reside, remains one of the primary duties of any government.

The former vice president urged authorities to issue stronger travel advisories, begin evacuation arrangements for Nigerians willing to return home, and intensify diplomatic engagement with South African officials. He also called for broader collaboration with the African Union to find lasting solutions to recurring xenophobic attacks across the continent.

Atiku further appealed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to respond more decisively whenever Nigerians abroad are exposed to threats, saying the country must match its continental leadership claims with prompt and effective action.