Nigeria was one of the strongest and most consistent supporters of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa from its own independence in 1960 until the end of apartheid in 1994
It chaired the United Nations Special Committee Against Apartheid for about 30 years (until 1994)
Under military regimes (notably Murtala Muhammed and Olusegun Obasanjo), Nigeria nationalized the local operations of companies like British Petroleum (BP) and Barclays Bank for continuing business ties with apartheid South Africa.
It banned imports of South African goods early on and participated in or led sports and cultural boycotts (e.g., involvement in the 1976 Olympic boycott and Commonwealth Games boycotts).
It gave substantial annual support to liberation groups, with estimates around $5 million per year to the ANC and Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) combined.
In 1976, following the Soweto uprising, Nigeria established the Southern Africa Relief Fund (SARF), popularly known as the "Mandela Tax." Nigerian civil servants and public officers contributed 2% of their monthly salaries (often compulsorily), supplemented by government donations, student contributions, and public fundraising. This funded relief, education, and welfare for apartheid victims and exiles. The Obasanjo administration contributed millions to the fund.
According to the South African Institute of International Affairs, Nigeria’s total contributions—including direct aid, support to the OAU Liberation Committee/Frontline States, and economic sacrifices (such as lost revenue from refusing to sell oil to the regime)—reached an estimated US$61 billion between 1960 and 1995.
The government issued more than 300 Nigerian passports to South Africans in exile or needing to travel for the struggle, enabling their international work.
It provided scholarships and free education to many South African students and exiles in Nigerian universities and institutions, especially after the 1976 Soweto uprising.
Nigeria hosted South African refugees and some leaders (e.g., claims that figures like Thabo Mbeki spent time there).
Nelson Mandela personally acknowledged Nigeria’s role. Shortly after his release from prison in 1990, he visited Lagos and addressed a massive crowd at Tafawa Balewa Square, stating that “the support we have received from Nigeria has been second to none.”