Sunny Osaro has recounted an experience in South Africa in which, he said, a pastor refused to allow him to hold a church service because he is Nigerian.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Osaro said some Nigerians in South Africa face discrimination not only in business but also in religious settings, where they are sometimes viewed as competitors instead of fellow believers.
Recalling the incident, Osaro said the pastor rejected his request to conduct a service, telling him Nigerians were bringing “strange churches” into South Africa.
“At one point there was even a pastor who looked at me and said, ‘No, you guys cannot hold service in this place. You bring your strange churches from outside South Africa down here.’ I said to him, ‘You’re my brother.’ He said, ‘No, you’re not my brother.'”
Osaro said the encounter reflected what he believes is a broader perception that Nigerians pose a threat in both ministry and business.
According to him, many South Africans feel threatened when they discover someone is Nigerian, believing they want to attract church members or dominate business activities. He added that such attitudes have contributed to the challenges many Nigerians face while living and working in South Africa.
