The Federal Government of Nigeria has dropped its strongest hint yet of major retaliatory options against MTN, Multichoice, Stanbic, and other South African multinationals operating within its borders.
Amidst mounting domestic outrage over renewed anti-migrant violence and xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians in South Africa, the Nigerian government revealed it is actively “weighing its options” regarding how it handles major South African commercial interests, including MTN.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, June 18, 2026, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the government’s position clear.
While Nigeria has traditionally prioritized diplomatic channels to resolve these recurring crises, the continued harassment, looting, and loss of Nigerian lives in South Africa are forcing a critical policy shift.
The minister said Nigeria had exercised restraint and continued to pursue diplomatic engagements but warned that the government might be compelled to explore other options if the attacks persisted.
“As I indicated before, there are these huge conglomerates. By the way, there are over 120 South African companies operating in Nigeria.
“Nobody is asking them to provide proof of identity. Nobody is asking South African staff working there whether they are South Africans or Nigerians, and nobody is taking over their shops or businesses.
“But this is happening to Nigerians in South Africa. So, I think that at some point, we really have to review the options available to us.
“We have MTN, MultiChoice, Stanbic, Protea, and many other South African brands spanning multiple sectors,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
The minister, however, stressed that any retaliatory measures would have to follow constitutional provisions and the due legislative process.
She explained that the Federal Government was currently engaging South African authorities through diplomatic channels, while the National Assembly would play a constitutional role in determining Nigeria’s response should those efforts fail.
The minister also disclosed that the South African authorities discarded their memorandum of understanding with Nigeria on the early warning mechanism which they had signed in October 2025.
She added that the pact was essentially to protect the lives and property of both Nigerians and South Africans in times of conflict like this.
“When it comes to situations like this, of course, it is necessary to be temperate and exercise caution. But when your citizens are being harassed, when your citizens are people who have spent years there, and mind you, some of them are married to South Africans and have children who have known no other home but South Africa, then it becomes a serious concern.
“Now, under these circumstances, they are asking not just Nigerians, but also their South African spouses and their children, to leave South Africa,” the minister said.
Recall that in May, the senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, called for the revocation of licences of South African companies operating in Nigeria, including MTN and MultiChoice, owners of DSTV, following renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
The National Assembly also condemned the attacks, urging the federal government to take immediate diplomatic and protective measures to safeguard Nigerian citizens abroad.
