The deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, says Nigeria’s diplomatic efforts with South Africa over xenophobic attacks are “making good impacts”.

Agbese spoke on Monday when he was featured as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

When asked if Nigeria should have taken stricter measures over the attacks on the country’s citizens in South Africa, Agbese said, “No. I think so far, you know, the diplomatic engagements that we have activated are making a good impact.”

He said Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, is also engaging the South African government over the matter.

“And today, to the glory of God, we now have a group of South African people running the Ubuntu movement. The Ubuntu movement is about peace in Africa. It is about love,” he said.

According to him, people migrate for various reasons and not mainly because of “hardship”.

“Well, like I’ve mentioned earlier, it is actually a big issue for South Africa and a big issue for the countries whose nationals are finding solace in leaving their own countries for other countries,” he said about the xenophobic attacks.

The renewed wave of xenophobic attacks has seen more than 176,000 people leave South Africa in recent weeks, according to an AFP tally which is based on figures provided by African countries that have repatriated their nationals.

At least four migrants have been killed in the violence, according to the South African police, though some foreign governments say the death toll is higher.

Ghana, which has been an outspoken critic of the fatal attacks, has called for an African Union debate on the anti-migrant violence at the next AU summit early next year.

Nigeria, which has also clashed diplomatically with South Africa over recurring attacks on its citizens, has likewise pushed to put the issue on the AU’s agenda.

Nigeria has evacuated 1,490 nationals from South Africa, while Ghana has repatriated at least 926.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the achievements of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, particularly for his administration’s infrastructure development projects and urban renewal agenda across the state.

Jonathan stated this while inaugurating 18 township road projects executed by the Mohammed administration in the Bauchi metropolis.

“Governor Bala Mohammed has consistently demonstrated that leadership is best measured by tangible improvements in the lives of the people,” he said on Monday.

Jonathan said that Governor Mohammed’s leadership had been defined by a clear vision, purposeful governance, and a strong commitment to the development of Bauchi State.

“I am not surprised by these achievements, having known Governor Bala Mohammed over the years. I am aware of his passion for service, his determination to deliver democratic dividends, and his unwavering commitment to development. The projects being commissioned today are a practical manifestation of that commitment,” he added.

The 18 road projects, valued at ₦58 billion, cover a total of 49.7 kilometres. They are aimed at improving connectivity, easing movement within the metropolis, boosting commercial activities, and enhancing access to essential amenities.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Governor Mohammed said his administration’s development agenda extended beyond urban renewal.

“While today’s event focuses on Bauchi metropolis, our commitment extends to every part of the state. We are equally investing in rural and semi-urban roads because we recognise that agriculture remains the backbone of our economy,” he said.

The commissioning ceremony was followed by another event where Jonathan laid the foundation for the construction of four recreational parks across the metropolis.

The parks, which are being constructed at a cost of over ₦4 billion, are expected to be completed within 12 months.

The projects include the Golden Jubilee Park, built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bauchi State; General Hassan Usman Katsina Park, Yelwa; Suleiman Adamu Park, New GRA; and Shehu Azare Park, Old GRA.

President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the growing continental recognition of Nigeria’s customs modernisation programme and commended the selection of a subsidiary of Nigerian-owned Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited for a 20-year, multi-billion-dollar AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project.

The project, to be implemented through Bergmans’ subsidiary, AfriTrade CMP Limited, will deploy digital and physical infrastructure to improve customs processes, cargo tracking, border management and trade-data exchange across participating African countries.

Another Bergmans subsidiary, Trade Modernisation Project Limited, is implementing Nigeria’s homegrown customs modernisation programme.

According to a statement by the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said the development validates Nigeria’s capacity to build homegrown solutions for the wider African market.

“What has been built and tested in Nigeria is now providing a model for the continent. This is how African integration should work: Africans building African solutions for African opportunities.

“Nigeria must not only participate in Africa’s single market. Nigerian institutions and businesses can help build the technology and infrastructure that will make that market work.

“Under our Nigeria First policy, we will continue to create opportunities for capable Nigerian businesses to compete at home, across Africa and globally.

“I commend Bergmans, AfriTrade CMP Limited, Trade Modernisation Project Limited, the Nigeria Customs Service, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the Nigerian professionals whose work has earned this confidence.”

AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, who was in Abuja for the agreement, also visited the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters to see the Nigerian programme in operation.

Members of the Senate Committee on Customs, led by Senator Jibrin Isah, joined the visit at the conclusion of their two-day retreat on customs modernisation and reforms.

Mene described B’Odogwu, Nigeria’s indigenous Unified Customs Management System, as a model for Africa and disclosed that non-African companies had offered similar services. However, AfCFTA chose an African solution, underscoring the importance of African excellence and innovation.

Senator Isah, after seeing the systems at work, said members of his committee had become its ambassadors.

B’Odogwu, first piloted in October 2024, has become central to customs modernisation in Nigeria alongside cargo tracking, data infrastructure, surveillance, risk management and non-intrusive inspection.

The programme is also being integrated with the National Single Window, launched in March 2026 to provide a single digital gateway for cross-border trade processes.

“The promise of AfCFTA will be realised when goods can move across African borders faster, at lower cost and with fewer barriers. Nigeria is ready to contribute its experience, innovation and enterprise to that future,” President Tinubu added.