Hundreds of university students on Friday staged a protest at the headquarters of MTN Nigeria in Abuja, shutting down access to the telecommunications company's premises, blocking nearby roads and engaging in a tense standoff with police officers. Videos circulating on social media showed protesters carrying placards, chanting solidarity songs and attempting to march towards the MTN office while security personnel mounted barricades to stop them.
Protest Details and Demands
The demonstration caused traffic disruption around the area as commuters were forced to seek alternative routes. The protest was organised by the National Association of University Students (NAUS), which accused South Africa of failing to protect Nigerians allegedly targeted in recent xenophobic attacks. Student leaders said they were directing their grievances at South African-owned businesses operating in Nigeria, particularly MTN, to pressure authorities in Pretoria to take decisive action.
Background of Xenophobic Attacks
According to the association, the demonstration was triggered by reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living and doing business in South Africa. The students described the attacks as unacceptable and called on the South African government to ensure the safety of foreign nationals. They warned that if concrete measures were not taken, further peaceful protests targeting South African businesses in Nigeria could follow.
Police Confrontation
Videos from the protest showed police officers forming a barricade outside the MTN headquarters to prevent demonstrators from entering the premises. The students confronted the officers, insisting they had a constitutional right to peaceful protest. Despite the tense exchanges, there were no immediate reports of injuries or arrests at the time the videos emerged online.
MTN Nigeria's Silence
As of the time of filing this report, MTN Nigeria had not publicly responded to the protest or the demands made by the student body. The demonstration comes despite MTN Nigeria repeatedly maintaining in previous years that it is a Nigerian-incorporated company employing thousands of Nigerians, even though it is part of South Africa's MTN Group.
Historical Context of Protests
This is not the first time South African businesses have become targets of protests in Nigeria over xenophobic violence. In 2019, widespread demonstrations erupted across several Nigerian cities after attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa. MTN, Shoprite and MultiChoice outlets were temporarily shut or attacked by protesters demanding an end to xenophobic violence. The incidents forced several South African companies to suspend operations temporarily while diplomatic efforts were undertaken by both governments to ease tensions.
Student leaders say their latest protest is intended to send a strong message that Nigerians abroad deserve protection and that repeated attacks on fellow citizens will continue to attract public condemnation.
