By Chinedu Echianu
The Forum of National Youth Leaders of All Political Parties in Nigeria has issued an ultimatum to South Africans living in Nigeria, asking them to leave the country by the end of July 2026 over the alleged mistreatment of Nigerians in South Africa.
At a press conference on Wednesday, National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Chairman Forum of National Youth Leaders of all Political parties in Nigeria, Comrade Eze Onyebuchi-Chukwu, condemned what the forum described as renewed attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa, accusing the South African government of failing to take decisive action against the violence.
The group argued that the attacks were not merely acts of xenophobia but “Afrophobia,” describing them as Africans attacking fellow Africans on African soil.
The youth leaders recalled Nigeria’s support for South Africa during the apartheid era, noting that successive Nigerian governments championed the anti-apartheid struggle at international forums and established the Southern Africa Relief Fund, through which Nigerians contributed financially to the liberation movement.
According to the forum, Nigeria made significant sacrifices to support South Africa’s freedom, but Nigerians are now being subjected to harassment, intimidation and threats in the country.
The group alleged that South Africans had given Nigerians notice to leave their country, claiming that the move was aimed at attacking them and taking over their businesses and properties.
While describing themselves as peaceful and law-abiding, the youth leaders warned that their patience had reached its limit.
“We are therefore giving South Africans living in Nigeria from today to the end of July 2026 to leave Nigeria to their country, or else they will see in Nigeria what Nigerians saw in South Africa. Enough is enough,” the forum said.
There has been no immediate response from the South African government to the forum’s ultimatum. The Nigerian government has also not commented on the development.
