Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema has called on Nigerians to boycott South Africa and withdraw investments as a non-violent economic response to renewed xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerian nationals in that country.
Allen Onyema wants Nigerians angry — but smart about it.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on ARISE News on Monday, as reported by Nairametrics, the Air Peace founder and CEO called for an economic boycott of South Africa in response to renewed xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals, including Nigerians — attacks that have already prompted the Nigerian government to begin evacuating citizens.
But Onyema was clear about what he doesn’t want. No street violence. No shutting down MTN or other South African-owned businesses operating in Nigeria. “Don’t Nigeria’s have shares in those companies? After all, those people are Nigerians too. I don’t want that,” he said.
His preferred weapon? The wallet. “The kind of retaliation I want is for Nigerians to boycott South Africa. Do you know what it means? Boycott South Africa. Don’t invest in that country,” he stated flatly. “That is most powerful.”
The stakes are significant. Trade data for Q1 2026 shows South Africa was Nigeria’s largest African import source, with goods worth N155.26 billion entering Nigeria — an 18.2 per cent jump from Q4 2025. That includes vehicles, polypropylene, apples and industrial raw materials.
Onyema’s logic is straightforward: “If you decide to go against me, the only thing I can do to you is withdraw my support to you. I don’t have to support you to use it to finish me.”
Economic pressure. Zero bloodshed. Maximum message.
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