ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declined to grant an audience to a high-level special envoy dispatched by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, according to presidency sources and diplomatic reports. The South African delegation, led by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, arrived in Abuja seeking an unannounced meeting with the Nigerian leader amidst heightened diplomatic tension over recurring xenophobic violence targeting Nigerians in South Africa. Downgraded Engagement: Following the President’s refusal to grant the audience, the South African delegation was redirected to meet with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye. Following the President’s refusal to grant the audience, the South African delegation was redirected to meet with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye. Silence from Foreign Affairs: Neither Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu nor Minister of State Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye had issued formal statements regarding the bilateral meeting at press time.