The immediate past Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has recalled the sacrifices of Nigeria for the liberation of South Africa from apartheid regime and condemned the ongoing targeting of Nigerians and other black Africans in that country as unacceptable.
Tuggar said the attacks and killings of only black Africans by protesters in South Africa was better described as Afrophobia than xenophobia, as non-black Africans appeared to be exempted from the anti-migrant sentiments.
He, however, emphasised the importance of understanding the developments in South Africa within their historical context.
The former minister added that their historical context should not be interpreted as justification for the situation.
Tuggar, spoke in Lagos on Thursday at the Bridge Club 2026 end-year event with the theme: “We are family”.
He said, “Call it Afrophobia, which may be better description than Xenophobia (as non-black Africans appear to be exempted) or the more euphemistic framing- anti-migration protests, it is wrong and must be condemned”.
Tuggar traced the historical foundations of segregation in Africa to colonial administrative practices, particularly the system introduced by Lord Frederick Lugard, which he said separated the black population along tribal lines.
He identified Jan Smuts as another influential figure in the development of institutional segregation, while noting that the apartheid administration under P.W. Botha further entrenched divisions along racial, class and economic lines.
According to him, the Homelands policy under apartheid made everyone a foreigner from within and without, leaving lasting psychological scars.
Recalling Nigeria’s role in the struggle against apartheid, Tuggar said his generation was shaped by the campaign against racist regimes and the liberation of Africa.
He said after the Soweto massacre in June 1976, Nigeria adopted many of the victims, provided them with full scholarships and accommodated them in its boarding schools.
He said Nigeria also extended similar support to Namibians, Angolans and others living under oppression.
He said Nigeria also hosted the World Conference Against Apartheid, which framed apartheid as a threat to international peace and security.
According to him, Nigeria, despite being financially constrained following the slump in oil prices in 1976, nationalised Barclays Bank and British Petroleum, accepting the risk of offending some Western partners.
Tuggar, however, raised questions about possible external influences behind anti-migrant campaigns in South Africa.
“We have to also look at exogenous factors at play. Who funds March & March and Operation Dudala? Are the online hashtags that are serving as rallying points for anti-migrant sentiments organic or engendered from outside South Africa?
“South Africa was accused of racism towards white farmers when Nigeria was accused of persecution of Christians. Is it a coincidence?”
The President of The Bridge Club, Abdulhakeem Mustapha, said the theme of the event reflects the club’s philosophy of building bridges across differences, connecting people and fostering understanding.
Mustapha said hostility, intolerance, discrimination and violence against Africans undermines the continent’s aspirations.
“How can we genuinely aspire to a united Africa when an African is made to feel unwelcome, unsafe or unwanted in another African country simply because of nationality, ethnicity or origin?”
He said Pan-Africanism must go beyond political declarations, diplomatic conferences and economic treaties, to reflect in people’s attitudes, conduct and institutions.