Barrister Smart Nwobi Leads NUSA’s Newly Elective Executive, Push for Business Growth and Community Unity in South Africa

Pretoria, South Africa – December 8, 2024

The Nigeria Union South Africa (NUSA) is thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of its 2024 Elective Congress, held on December 7, 2024, in Witbank, Mpumalanga, South Africa. The congress, marked by high participation and a spirit of unity, saw the election of new national leaders who will guide the Nigerian community in South Africa for the next three years.

Elective Congress Key Highlights:

• Record Turnout: The congress witnessed an unprecedented turnout of over 200 Nigerian delegates from across South Africa, reflecting the community’s strong engagement in its leadership process.
• Transparent Election: The election was conducted in a fair, transparent, and peaceful manner, overseen by an independent electoral committee.
• New Leadership: Prince Barr. Nwobi Ikechukwu Smart emerged as the new President of NUSA, alongside a team of capable executives committed to serving the Nigerian community.
• Focus on Unity: The newly elected leaders have pledged to prioritize unity, welfare, legal assistance, and the advancement of Nigerians in South Africa.
• Appreciation: NUSA extends its gratitude to the outgoing executives for their service and to all members for their active participation in the democratic process.

Prince Barr. Nwobi I. Smart, in his acceptance speech, noted that. We are honored by the trust placed in us by our community. Our team is committed to building on the foundation laid by our predecessors and working tirelessly for the betterment of all Nigerians in South Africa.

Challenges Facing Nigerians in South Africa
Despite the successes, Nigerians in South Africa still face numerous challenges. One of the significant issues is the difficulty in obtaining visas and work permits. This has led to many Nigerians being unable to regularize their stay in South Africa, making them vulnerable to exploitation and harassment. Another challenge is the issue of xenophobia. Nigerians, along with other foreign nationals, have been victims of xenophobic attacks in South Africa. These attacks have resulted in loss of life, property, and livelihoods.

Recent Agreement Between Nigeria and South Africa
The recent agreement between Nigeria and South Africa is a significant development that is expected to impact Nigerians doing business in South Africa positively. The agreement, which was signed by President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, aims to promote trade and investment between the two countries. The agreement is expected to make it easier for Nigerians to do business in South Africa by reducing bureaucratic hurdles and promoting cooperation between the two countries. This is a welcome development for Nigerians doing business in South Africa, as it is expected to increase trade and investment between the two countries.

We commend the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, and the President of the Republic of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa, for their efforts in strengthening the bilateral relationship between our two countries, said Prince Barr. Nwobi I. Smart, the newly elected President of NUSA. This agreement is a significant step forward in promoting trade and investment between our two countries, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our members.

The Way Forward
As NUSA begins a new chapter in its history, the organization is committed to working tirelessly to promote the welfare and interests of Nigerians living in South Africa. The newly elected leadership is committed to building on the foundation laid by its predecessors and working to address the challenges facing Nigerians in South Africa.

We are committed to working with the Nigerian and South African governments to promote trade and investment between our two countries,” said Prince Barr. Nwobi I. Smart. We will also work to address the challenges facing Nigerians in South Africa, including the issue of xenophobia and the difficulty in obtaining visas and work permits.

The new executive committee will assume office after an inauguration billed to take place in February 2025, following a transition period. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in NUSA’s history, and the organization is committed to working tirelessly to promote the welfare and interests of Nigerians living in South Africa.