Vice President Kashim Shettima has condemned xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa, saying Nigeria made significant sacrifices in the fight against apartheid, including deductions from students' scholarship allowances to support liberation movements.
Shettima made the remarks on Sunday while addressing the 69th Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
According to the Vice President, Nigeria stood firmly behind South Africa during the struggle against apartheid, with the country providing financial and diplomatic support to liberation movements despite the economic burden on its own citizens.
He recalled that Nigerian students at the time had portions of their scholarship allowances deducted to contribute to the anti-apartheid struggle, describing it as one of the many sacrifices made by Nigerians in pursuit of Africa's freedom and unity.
Shettima said it was therefore painful to witness recurring cases of xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, stressing that such actions undermine the ideals of African solidarity and brotherhood.
The Vice President urged African leaders to strengthen regional cooperation and promote policies that protect the rights, dignity, and safety of citizens across the continent, regardless of their country of origin.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to the ECOWAS vision of regional integration, peace, and economic development, while calling on member states to work together in addressing shared challenges facing West Africa and the African continent.