Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has called on Nigerians at home and abroad to stop investing in South Africa as a peaceful response to recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African migrants.

Speaking on Arise Television, Onyema advocated a non-violent economic boycott, urging Nigerians to channel their investments into Nigeria while allowing South African businesses to operate under conditions set by Nigerian authorities.

According to him, repeated attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa point to a failure by the country’s authorities to adequately protect migrants and their businesses. He questioned how security agencies often appear unable to prevent mobs from targeting foreigners, harassing them and demanding proof of their legal status.

Onyema noted that many Nigerians in South Africa are entrepreneurs who contribute significantly to the local economy by creating jobs and investing capital. Rather than targeting them, he said, South Africans should learn from their entrepreneurial spirit and economic contributions.

While backing calls for a firm response to the attacks, the Air Peace boss rejected any form of violent retaliation against South Africans or their businesses in Nigeria. He also opposed shutting down South African-owned companies such as MTN, arguing that such firms employ thousands of Nigerians and have local shareholders who would be adversely affected.

His comments come amid renewed anti-immigrant protests in parts of South Africa, where demonstrators have demanded that undocumented migrants leave the country by June 30, prompting evacuation and repatriation efforts by Nigeria and other affected countries.