Xenophobia: Nigeria won’t collapse if we send South African businesses away – Umeh

08 Jul 2026, 06:17 by Matthew Atungwu · Daily Post

Anambra Central Senator, Victor Umeh, says Nigeria will not collapse if it sends South African and their businesses away out of the country.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Umeh said there is nothing they are doing in the country that Nigerians cannot do for themselves.

His remark came against the backdrop of xenophobic attacks on Nigerian citizens in South Africa, where some Nigerians were killed and their businesses looted.

“We can send them away from here, even their business, who cares? It’s not like Nigeria will collapse if they go, we will never collapse.

“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.

“There’s nothing they’re doing in Nigeria that we cannot do for ourselves. If it is satellites that they have, we have to spend money.

“I remember in 2006, Daar Communications wanted to start digital satellite transmission, the type of thing they are doing in South Africa. Some of us were moved to patriotically invest in that public offer they did.

“So if Nigeria takes it as a priority, it will be able to create all those opportunities. Nigeria has also advanced in digital technology. We can bring these things about,” Umeh said.

Xenophobia: Nigeria won’t collapse if we send South African businesses away – Umeh

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