President Bola Tinubu snubbed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's envoy, directing the delegation to meet Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye instead.The South African team arrived in Abuja without prior notice for a meeting with Tinubu, leading to the decision to brief him through the minister.

Enikanolaiye highlighted that xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa have worsened since 2022, with 98 Nigerians killed.The Nigerian government condemned the violence, stressing lawful handling of suspects and urging Pretoria to halt the crisis.Tinubu's refusal to meet directly sparked diplomatic tension, as both nations seek to address the Afrophobic incidents affecting their citizens.

Enikanolaiye warned that the strategic relationship between Nigeria and South Africa must not be undermined by such attacks, emphasizing the need for collaborative solutions.