Journal of African Studies and Sustainable Development

Nigeria-South Africa relations date back to the era of Nigeria independence. At the Independence Day address, Nigeria made it clear that Africa is the centerpiece of her foreign policy and the elimination of apartheid in South Africa her greatest challenge. The then South Africa government saw that as an affront and regarded Nigeria as a threat and enemy. Such frosty relationship continued till 1992 when President DeKlerk and his entourage stormed Nigeria to embrace each other. Consequently, bilateral relations that could benefit both countries based on their national interest, was initiated. This relation and diplomatic policies were however, threatened during the administrations of Nelson Mandela and Nigeria’s dictator, General Sani Abacha but normal relation was restored during the Mbeki and Obasanjo regimes. However, the era of Zuma and Jonathan respectively has been filled with diplomatic challenges. Occasionally, their policies and relations are cordial and at some other times, frosty. The relationship between the two countries deteriorated due to series of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa in 2017 and the resent one in September, 2019. It is on this backdrop that this paper examines this core issues of racial intolerance, dislike for foreigners particularly Nigeria-South Africa relation in the PostApartheid Era. This study is anchored on the realistic Conflict Theory, and also adopted secondary sources of data such as books, journal articles, newspaper and internet sources. Also used were the historical approach in its analysis. Reports obtained from these sources formed the bulk of this Research’s tool of assessment.

Open Full Text (PDF)