Photo combo: Sir Victor Oluwafemi and President Bola Tinubu
President of the Africa Development Study Centre (ADSC), Sir Victor Walsh Oluwafemi, has called on the Federal Government to urgently protect Nigerians abroad and restore the country’s global standing, following recurring attacks on citizens in South Africa.
Oluwafemi, who is also an international development consultant and member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, made the call in a statement at the weekend, insisting that the safety of Nigerians overseas is not optional.
“The safety of Nigerian citizens abroad is not a diplomatic courtesy. It is a sovereign obligation,” he said.
He expressed concern that Nigeria currently has no substantive ambassador in South Africa, describing the situation as a strategic gap at a time when tensions and vulnerabilities persist.
“An Ambassador is not deployed for a ceremony alone. An Ambassador represents national authority, deterrence, crisis engagement, and the structured defence of citizens. Strategic countries must never remain diplomatically underrepresented,” he stated.
Oluwafemi urged the Federal Government to immediately deploy a substantive ambassador to South Africa and accelerate ambassadorial postings to other high-risk jurisdictions.
He also called on the government to summon the South African High Commissioner in Abuja for formal engagement and to seek clear assurances regarding the safety of Nigerian nationals.
“Incidents involving the killing or violent targeting of Nigerians abroad must trigger visible diplomatic action within 24 hours. Delayed responses weaken deterrence and embolden repetition,” he warned.
According to him, the issue goes beyond a single country, as a troubling perception is emerging across parts of the continent that Nigeria can be treated with “casual disregard.”
“From regulatory hostility to public rhetoric and sporadic violence, the pattern must not be allowed to normalise. Nigeria is Africa’s largest population and one of its leading economies. Its citizens must never be treated as expendable,” he said.
Oluwafemi stressed that attacks on Nigerians abroad have broader implications for investor confidence, diaspora morale, bilateral relations and Nigeria’s continental leadership credibility.
“Reputation is national infrastructure. When Nigerians are attacked without consequence, it affects investor confidence, diaspora morale, bilateral negotiations, and continental leadership credibility,” he said.
He urged the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs to strengthen rapid response protocols and establish structured escalation mechanisms for diaspora-related incidents, adding that diplomatic performance must be measurable and accountable.
He also called on the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission to intensify risk mapping, improve crisis reporting channels and strengthen engagement with host authorities to ensure Nigerians in vulnerable environments are not left without support.
While demanding stronger protection from the government, Oluwafemi advised Nigerians living abroad to obey the laws of their host countries and conduct themselves responsibly.
“National reputation is shaped not only by statecraft but by citizen behaviour. Nigerians abroad must serve as responsible ambassadors of our values, enterprise, and discipline,” he said.
He concluded by urging decisive leadership from the Federal Government.
“Nigeria must demand respect. Nigeria must model responsibility. The time for hesitation has passed. The protection of Nigerian lives and the preservation of Nigeria’s global standing require urgency, clarity, and decisive leadership,” he added.
