South Africa’s visa denial of BUA Chairman affront to Nigeria – Shehu Sani

Abdullateef Fowewe

Former Senator Shehu Sani has criticised the South African government’s decision to deny visa entry to BUA Group chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu, calling the move “an affront to Nigeria”.

Sani in a statement shared on X on Friday says, “The denial of visa to The Chairman of BUA Abdul Samad Rabiu by the South African Government is an affront to Nigeria.

“They cannot have billions of dollars investment in our country and treat such a revered figure with rejection and contempt.

“Xenophobia is escalating from the streets to Governance. Its time to keep aside history and African brotherhood and deal with this matter squarely.”

Sani’s comments followed reports that Rabiu, one of Nigeria’s leading industrialists, was refused entry to South Africa.

The former senator argued that the refusal was disrespectful given BUA’s substantial investments in Nigeria and warned that the episode signalled a worrying shift from street‑level xenophobia to official policy.

Responding to Sani’s criticism, some South African commentators and a number of Nigerians noted that immigration enforcement must apply equally.

They contended that Rabiu attempted to travel on an expired visa and said this justified the denial regardless of his status.

“I mmigration laws are enforced without special treatment for elites,” one reply observed.

The incident has reignited tensions between Nigeria and South Africa over issues of reciprocity, migration control and economic interdependence, challenging appeals to African solidarity even as both countries maintain deep commercial links.

There was no immediate comment from the South African government or BUA Group at the time of publication.