The National President of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, has commended the Federal Government for its swift evacuation of Nigerians affected by the recent wave of xenophobic attacks and anti-immigration protests in South Africa.
Ogunojemite described the government’s prompt intervention as a clear demonstration of its commitment to protecting the lives, welfare and interests of Nigerians abroad. He said the timely action has restored confidence among citizens and reaffirmed the government’s responsibility to safeguard its people wherever they may be.
Expressing concern over the recurring attacks on fellow Africans in South Africa, the APFFLON President warned that xenophobia poses a serious threat to the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He noted that the agreement’s vision of deeper economic integration cannot be realised in an atmosphere where African citizens, traders, investors and legitimate businesses are subjected to intimidation, discrimination and violence.
According to him, AfCFTA was established to promote free movement of goods and services, stimulate investment and strengthen economic cooperation across the continent. He said repeated xenophobic attacks undermine these objectives by eroding the confidence needed for intra-African trade and investment to thrive.
Ogunojemite called on African governments, the African Union, the AfCFTA Secretariat and regional economic blocs to unequivocally condemn the attacks and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. He warned that weak responses or silence could encourage further violence and weaken Africa’s drive towards economic integration.
He also urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s economy by improving infrastructure, ensuring stable electricity supply, modernising the nation’s ports, reducing the cost of doing business, promoting industrialisation and enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian products and services across African markets.
“The greatest response to external challenges is to build a resilient and competitive economy. Nigeria must create an enabling environment for businesses, manufacturers, exporters, freight forwarders and logistics operators to thrive. A stronger economy will position the country to maximise the enormous opportunities presented by AfCFTA”, he said.
The APFFLON President reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting policies that promote seamless trade, efficient freight forwarding, logistics development and regional economic integration. He also urged African leaders to uphold the principles of unity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, describing them as essential to the success of continental trade and sustainable economic development.