Nigerian Senator Backs Expulsion of South African Businesses Amid Xenophobia Row
Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, has stated that Nigeria would not collapse if South African businesses were removed from the country. Speaking on the Channels Television program Politics Today, Umeh asserted that Nigerians possess the capability to manage services currently provided by South African firms. His remarks followed reports of renewed xenophobic violence in South Africa, where Nigerian nationals have been killed and their businesses destroyed. "We can send them away from here, even their business, who cares? It's not like Nigeria will collapse if they go, we will never collapse," Umeh said. He condemned South Africa's treatment of foreign nationals, arguing that such actions damage national cohesion and discourage international visitors.
Umeh warned that discouraging travel to South Africa would ultimately affect its economy. He pointed to Nigeria's progress in digital satellite technology as evidence that the country can replicate foreign ventures if prioritized. "If Nigeria takes it as a priority, it will be able to create all those opportunities. Nigeria has also advanced in digital technology. We can bring these things about," he added. The senator did not propose specific legislative measures but emphasized self-reliance and national confidence. No official Nigerian government position on the expulsion of South African businesses was stated in the source. The situation in South Africa remains tense, with ongoing concerns for the safety of foreign nationals.
A Nigerian senator calling for the expulsion of South African businesses frames it as a test of national resilience, not retaliation. The suggestion that Nigeria can seamlessly replace foreign enterprises ignores the interconnectedness of regional economies. If implemented, such a move could trigger reciprocal actions affecting Nigerian entrepreneurs in Southern Africa. Economic sovereignty cannot be asserted through isolation without measurable consequences.
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