ABUJA — Senator Victor Umeh, who represents Anambra Central, has declared that Nigeria would not suffer if South African businesses were forced to leave the country, insisting that Nigerians are capable of providing the same services themselves.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Umeh made the remarks while reacting to recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa, where several citizens have reportedly been killed and their businesses looted.
According to the senator, Nigeria has the human and technological capacity to replace any services currently provided by South African companies.
“We can send them away from here, even their businesses. Who cares? It’s not like Nigeria will collapse if they go; we will never collapse,” Umeh said.
He, however, condemned attacks on foreigners, arguing that such actions are counterproductive and damaging to any nation’s reputation.
“Attacking and sending foreigners out of your country is not the way to build a nation. By the time people avoid going to South Africa, they will see the hurt they have done to themselves,” he added.
Umeh further stated that there is no sector in which South African companies operate in Nigeria that Nigerians cannot develop independently with the right investment and government support.
Recalling the 2006 public offer by Daar Communications to launch a digital satellite television platform, the lawmaker said many Nigerians invested out of patriotism and demonstrated the country’s ability to build indigenous solutions.
“There’s nothing they’re doing in Nigeria that we cannot do for ourselves. If Nigeria makes it a priority and invests the necessary resources, we can create those opportunities ourselves. Nigeria has also advanced in digital technology, and we can achieve these things,” he said.
His comments come amid renewed concerns over the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa and ongoing calls for stronger diplomatic action to protect Nigerian citizens and businesses abroad.
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