Lumumba urges Africans to defeat xenophobia with love, strengthen Pan-Africanism
By Babajide Awoyinfa
Lagos, Nov. 12, 2026
Kenyan lawyer, scholar and Pan-Africanist, Prof. Patrick Lumumba, has urged Africans to confront xenophobia with love, unity and stronger economic cooperation across the continent.
Lumumba made the call at the 2026 grand end-of-year event of The Bridge Club in Lagos on Thursday, during a conversation with the theme, “Xenophobia Contradicts Pan-Africanism”.
He said Africans must recognise their shared history, strengthen continental solidarity and promote economic independence to earn respect globally.
“Where there is hate, it drowns in a sea of love,” Lumumba said, urging African countries to respond to hostility against fellow Africans with greater hospitality and cooperation.
He described xenophobia and Afrophobia as contradictions of the ideals of Pan-Africanism, which promote African unity, shared identity and collective development.
The scholar recalled previous xenophobic attacks in South Africa in 2008 and between 2010 and 2015, noting that hostility toward fellow Africans was not peculiar to the country.
He, however, said the recent incidents in South Africa had brought renewed attention to the dangers of discrimination against Africans within the continent.
Lumumba traced some of Africa’s divisions to colonialism, particularly the 1884–1885 Berlin Conference, where European powers partitioned the continent into spheres of influence.
He said the colonial arrangement created artificial boundaries that continued to undermine African unity and cooperation.
According to him, Africans must demonstrate their commitment to Pan-Africanism through practical actions rather than declarations and diplomatic engagements.
He advocated increased intra-African trade, local manufacturing, economic integration and easier movement across African countries.
“We earn respect when we begin to do things for ourselves,” he said, citing locally manufactured products and reduced dependence on imported goods as important steps.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr Yusuf Tuggar, condemned attacks against Nigerians and other black Africans in South Africa, describing them as unacceptable and poorly timed.
Tuggar said the incidents, whether described as xenophobia or Afrophobia, must be condemned, particularly given Nigeria’s commitment to protecting the dignity of its citizens abroad.
He noted that Nigeria’s foreign policy agenda, anchored on strategic autonomy and the diaspora, made the protection of Nigerians overseas particularly important.
Tuggar also highlighted the strategic importance of Nigeria-South Africa relations, saying cooperation between both countries remained critical to Africa’s future.
He recalled South Africa’s support for Nigeria’s engagement with the G20 during its 2025 presidency, including hosting an African outreach meeting in Abuja.
In his welcome address, President of The Bridge Club, Mr AbdulHakeem Mustapha (SAN), said the organisation had evolved beyond a social association into a community of accomplished individuals united by friendship, fellowship and mutual respect.
He said the club, founded in 2017, brought together professionals, entrepreneurs and business leaders from diverse backgrounds.
Mustapha described the club’s philosophy as building bridges across differences, connecting people and creating opportunities for meaningful engagement.
He said the annual gathering provided an opportunity to celebrate relationships, strengthen bonds and renew members’ commitment to the ideals behind the club’s establishment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also featured an executive exchange and handover ceremony, marking the transition to a new club president.
Awards were presented to deserving members in recognition of their contributions, while new members were formally inducted into the club.
The gathering brought together members, public servants, legal practitioners, business leaders, families and associates for an evening of fellowship, reflection and celebration.
