After a brief period of diplomatic stand off between the two countries south africa has finally apologised.

Unknown to many, there has been a "cold war" between Nigeria and South Africa in the last one year over the Libyan crisis, which led to the ouster of the late Muammar Gaddafi.
Nigeria supported the then rebel-controlled Transitional National Council (TNC). South African President Jacob Zuma backed the late Gaddafi. The source added: "In the last one year, there has been a cold war between Nigeria and South Africa, beginning with the Libyan crisis. At the time the world was against Gaddafi, Zuma openly identified with the late dictator. He bulldozed his way to head a committee of the AU on Libyan crisis but the report presented to African leaders was wishy-washy and biased. "Nigeria succeeded in persuading most of the AU states to recognise the TNC. Nigeria’s position was also adopted by the UN. "South Africa has not forgiven Nigeria for making it to ‘lose out’ in international politics. It was a major foreign policy setback for President Zuma, who is gradually being isolated by world leaders for opposing reforms in Libya. "Also, Zuma wanted one of his wives to become the President of the AU Commission at the last session in Addis Ababa, but the election was stalemated. His wife could not win at the first ballot and this has angered South Africa, which believes that Nigeria wielded enormous power. "You can now appreciate why the South African government is being harsh on Nigerian travellers."

Nigeria might be facing serious political stability at present but the enormous power they wield over african affairs should not be taken for granted.