Ex-Nigerian president makes bold claim about South Africa’s apartheid struggle

Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo has made a bold claim about his country’s role in South Africa’s struggle against apartheid.

Obasanjo said South Africa would not have ended apartheid when it did without Nigeria’s support for the campaign against white minority rule.

He made the comments during an interview on C-Suite Cafe, hosted by Ikem Okuhu, while reflecting on Nigeria’s role in the liberation struggles across Southern Africa.

South Africa held its first democratic, non-racial elections in 1994, marking the end of apartheid rule.

Obasanjo explains Nigeria’s role during apartheid rule

Obasanjo said Nigeria’s involvement in the struggle was driven by the belief that no Black person should be regarded as inferior because of their skin colour.

“We were not doing what we did in South Africa or in Southern Africa or decolonisation anywhere for our personal gain or for our country. We did it for our race,” he said.

“I believe that no Black man anywhere or Black person anywhere should be regarded as an inferior human being because of his colour.”

He said Nigeria remained committed to that principle throughout the struggle.

“And for me and I believe for Nigeria at that time and even now we should be proud of what we did because without Nigeria, South Africa would not have got rid of apartheid when it got rid of it. That is true,” Obasanjo said.

Did Nigeria provide support during apartheid?

Historical records confirm that Nigeria played a significant role in supporting the anti-apartheid struggle.

In a 2016 address to Nigeria’s National Assembly, former South African president Jacob Zuma highlighted several areas where Nigeria supported the liberation struggle.

He said Nigeria helped establish and chair the United Nations Special Committee Against Apartheid and hosted a UN anti-apartheid conference in 1977.

Nigeria also hosted South African exiles, particularly after the 1976 Soweto uprising.

Nigeria established the Southern African Relief Fund in 1976, which provided scholarships and other assistance to South African students and refugees.

Zuma also said Nigerian civil servants had money deducted from their salaries through what became known as the “Mandela Tax” to support the liberation struggle.

Nigeria additionally backed boycotts of the Commonwealth Games in 1978 and 1986 in protest against apartheid.

Obasanjo also condemns attacks on migrants

Obasanjo also used the interview to criticise attacks against African migrants in South Africa.

He said migrants who break immigration laws or commit crimes should face the law, rather than having their homes and businesses attacked.

“There are criminals among the illegal migrants, but I do not believe that you use illegality to treat illegality,” he said.

Obasanjo’s comments come amid renewed tensions between Nigeria and South Africa over attacks against African migrants.