Nigeria, South Africa Need People-to-People Reset — Ajaere
Nigeria and South Africa must move beyond government policies and diplomatic meetings to build stronger people-to-people relationships capable of driving mutual socio-economic growth, according to Mykel Parish Ajaere, Co-Founder, Centre for Diplomacy, Policy and Strategic Studies and Publisher of The African Diplomat Magazine.
Ajaere said the future of relations between the two African giants should be anchored on creating opportunities for citizens of both countries to interact, work, study, trade and collaborate.
He argued that the true state of bilateral relations was often better reflected in the experiences of ordinary citizens than in presidential speeches, diplomatic communiqués and trade statistics.
He cited the anxiety of a Nigerian mother trying to reach her son in Johannesburg after reports of an attack, or that of a South African living peacefully in Lagos who suddenly faces hostility because of an incident elsewhere, as examples of how diplomatic tensions affect ordinary people.
According to him, the relationship is also increasingly shaped by information circulating on social media, where unverified reports about attacks, visas and other sensitive issues can quickly generate fear and suspicion.
Ajaere identified Professor Bobby J. Moroe as one diplomat who, through years of engagement in Nigeria, has helped keep communication between Nigerians and South Africans open.
He described Moroe as one of the most familiar faces of South African diplomacy in Nigeria, noting his extensive engagements in Abuja and Lagos.
While Abuja provides access to government, ministries and diplomatic institutions, he said Lagos offered a different perspective, with its concentration of business, entertainment, tourism, trade and everyday interactions between Nigerians and foreigners.
“A diplomat who understands only Abuja understands the Nigerian government. A diplomat who understands Abuja and Lagos has a better chance of understanding Nigerians,” he said.
Xenophobia and the trust deficit
Ajaere recalled the 2019 xenophobic attacks in South Africa, which triggered anger across Nigeria and led to protests and retaliatory attacks against South African-owned businesses.
He said the crisis went beyond diplomatic relations because it affected families whose relatives were living, studying or doing business in South Africa.
He noted that Moroe remained engaged during the difficult period, speaking with Nigerians, explaining his country’s position and listening to concerns.
According to Ajaere, the ability to listen during periods of anger is one of the most important qualities required of a diplomat.
“Diplomacy is relatively easy when presidents are shaking hands and cameras are flashing. Its real test comes when people are angry with the country you represent and you still have to face them, hear their grievances and find a way to keep communication open,” he said.
Social media changing diplomacy
Ajaere said the challenge facing Nigeria-South Africa relations had expanded beyond xenophobia to include misinformation and negative perceptions amplified by social media.
He observed that a misleading video, inflammatory post or false information about visa restrictions could reach thousands of people before government institutions had an opportunity to respond.
He therefore called for faster communication between diplomatic missions and citizens.
He said timely and accurate information had become an important tool for maintaining confidence and preventing misunderstandings from developing into diplomatic crises.
‘We have more in common’
Ajaere noted that Nigerians and South Africans share strong cultural and economic connections, despite recurring tensions.
He pointed to the popularity of amapiano in Nigeria, the growing South African audience for Afrobeats, cross-border film collaborations, business activities and academic exchanges as evidence of the close relationship between both countries.
He argued that Nigeria and South Africa were too important to Africa to remain trapped in a cycle of suspicion.
“When Johannesburg and Lagos cooperate, opportunities open far beyond our borders. When Abuja and Pretoria are consumed by disagreement, Africa loses the benefit of two of its most influential countries working together,” he said.
He stressed that rebuilding trust would require more than presidential meetings and bilateral commissions.
Diplomacy beyond embassies
Ajaere advocated greater investment in cultural, educational, sporting and economic exchanges between Nigerians and South Africans.
He proposed the establishment of a permanent Nigeria-South Africa People’s Forum involving students, traders, academics, creatives, entrepreneurs, religious leaders, sports supporters and diaspora organisations.
He also called for a rapid-response communication mechanism to counter misinformation capable of escalating tensions between both countries.
Ajaere suggested increased youth exchanges in film, music, technology, education, sports and entrepreneurship, arguing that direct interaction would help replace stereotypes formed through social media with genuine personal experiences.
“Hatred thrives easily from a distance. It becomes much harder to sustain after people have eaten together, worked together, laughed together and discovered how much they actually have in common,” he said.
Why Moroe?
Ajaere said Moroe’s experience in both Abuja and Lagos gives him an understanding of government as well as the commercial and social realities of Nigeria.
He described the diplomat as accessible and people-oriented, saying his participation in business, cultural and entertainment events had helped strengthen people-to-people contacts.
According to him, such engagements may appear informal but are important instruments of modern diplomacy.
“People may forget official communiqués, but they remember the diplomat who attended their event, answered their call and treated them with respect,” he said.
Ajaere also recalled a recent show of solidarity by Orlando Pirates supporters towards a young Nigerian football enthusiast from Imo State, describing the gesture as an example of how ordinary citizens could build bridges where official diplomacy sometimes struggles.
He said such gestures reflected the spirit of Ubuntu and demonstrated that Nigerians and South Africans could reconnect through shared interests and human relationships.
‘We cannot continue like this’
Ajaere warned that allowing negative perceptions to harden among young Nigerians and South Africans could create a new generation inheriting tensions they did not create.
He said both countries needed each other’s markets, creative industries, ideas and young people, adding that Africa would benefit when Nigeria and South Africa worked together rather than remained suspicious of each other.
He urged both governments to place people at the centre of their diplomatic engagement.
“Nigeria and South Africa do not need another bridge constructed from official statements. They need one built between people,” he said.
Ajaere maintained that Moroe’s experience, relationships and understanding of both countries positioned him to contribute meaningfully to such a process.
He concluded that the next chapter of Nigeria-South Africa relations should be guided by “people before politics, communication before confrontation and reconciliation before retaliation.”
By Kalu Moses
