Air Peace founder and Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, has called on Nigerians to halt investments in South Africa and boycott the country over renewed xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals, including Nigerians.

Speaking during an exclusive interview on ARISE News on Monday, Onyema urged Nigerians to respond through economic measures rather than violence, stressing that any action taken should not harm businesses operating within Nigeria.

His remarks come amid renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa that have targeted several foreign nationals, including Nigerians.

The attacks have raised fresh concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in the country, prompting the Nigerian government to commence the evacuation of some citizens affected by the unrest.

While backing calls for South Africa to face consequences over the attacks, Onyema said he opposed any form of violent retaliation or the closure of South African-owned businesses operating in Nigeria.

“I don’t want Nigerians to go to the street and attack any South Africans. Nigerians are not like that. We love foreigners. Nigerians are not like that. That’s not the kind of retaliation I want,” he said.

The Air Peace chief also dismissed suggestions that Nigeria should shut down companies such as MTN in response, arguing that such actions would be counterproductive and could harm Nigeria’s economy and business environment.

“I don’t want Nigeria to close down MTN or other companies. Don’t Nigeria’s have shares in those companies? After all, those people are Nigerians too. I don’t want that,” he added.

Instead, Onyema advocated a non-violent economic response, urging Nigerians to refrain from investing in South Africa and to use their economic influence to register their displeasure over the recurring attacks.

“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 said.

He argued that pulling investments and financial support from South Africa would deliver a more powerful message than any form of confrontation.

“If they want to invest in our country, let them bring their money and invest. And determine how they take the money back. That is non-violent action.

“Boycott South Africa. 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.

“So, that’s the kind of retaliation I want. That is most powerful,” he said.

Nigeria and other African nations have taken comparable measures in repatriating its citizens from South Africa following previous waves of xenophobic violence.

Ghana, for instance, has repatriated some of its citizens underscoring the broader regional unease caused by the recurring attacks.