₦airaland Forum

HOW GBENGA HASHIM AND OTHERS CONFRONTED EX-BRITISH PRIME MINISTER OVER SUPPORT FOR APARTHEID IN SOUTH AFRICA

Accord Party Presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has recounted his controversial confrontation with former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, at Lagos Airport in 1988, when he was a student activist at the University of Lagos.

An extract from his forthcoming autobiography, Sunrise At Midnight, recounts how Hashim and four fellow activists broke through a Police cordon and advanced onto the airport tarmac during Thatcher’s visit to Nigeria, leading to their arrest.

The incident occurred on January 7, 1988, amid growing opposition to Thatcher’s position on economic sanctions against South Africa’s Apartheid Government. Her visit triggered protests by Nigerian students, workers and anti-apartheid campaigners who believed Britain should exert stronger economic pressure to dismantle the racist system.

Thatcher opposed punitive economic pressure, arguing that it could worsen the hardship of black South Africans and damage the economies of neighbouring African countries. In her address at an official dinner in Lagos that evening, she maintained that destroying South Africa’s economy would not provide the best route to ending apartheid.

Nigerian activists, however, considered her position inadequate in the face of racial oppression and the denial of political rights to the black majority.

According to Hashim’s account, the protest began at the Nigeria Labour Congress secretariat on Olajuwon Street, Tejuosho, before demonstrators marched through Yaba and along Ikorodu Road towards Ikeja Airport.

The protesters carried placards and African National Congress flags produced by the Nigeria-ANC Friendship and Cultural Association. Hashim’s recollection puts the crowd at approximately 2,500, with the procession stretching across a substantial part of Lagos and causing traffic disruption.

Their destination was the airport’s Protocol Gate, where they hoped to make their opposition to Thatcher’s position impossible to ignore.

Authorities had anticipated the demonstration and deployed Police officers along the route and around the airport. A mass rally at the airport had been prohibited, and security personnel cordoned off the perimeter ahead of the British Prime Minister’s arrival.

But for Hashim and a small group of student activists, remaining behind the Police line would have meant missing an opportunity to deliver their message directly to the visiting delegation.

When Thatcher’s aircraft landed at approximately 12:05 p.m., the confrontation entered its most dramatic phase.

Hashim’s account describes how five student activists decided to breach the security cordon and move onto the tarmac. Their aim was to bring their placards and anti-apartheid message as close as possible to the British Prime Minister and the Nigerian officials receiving her.

The activists broke through the Police line and advanced towards the arriving delegation, led on the Nigerian side by Augustus Aikhomu, then Deputy Head of State and Chief of General Staff.

Their sudden appearance on the tarmac caused alarm among officials and security personnel.

According to the recollection, Chief Press Secretary Duro Onabule shouted, “See them!” An order followed: “Arrest them!”
Within moments, the protest had turned into an arrest operation.

The five activists identified in the account were Odion Akhaine, Olaitan Oyerinde, Rotimi Ewebiyi, Chris Ayaeze and Hashim himself.

They were taken to the Lagos Airport Police Station and detained in a small cell.

Hashim has subsequently recalled leading the student contingent that defied security restrictions during Thatcher’s visit.

Contemporary reporting also confirms that protesters challenged the British Prime Minister over her position on apartheid during her January 1988 visit, although not every detail of the activists’ encounter on the tarmac is independently documented.

From airport protest to a life of activism, the confrontation did not end when the five activists were taken away. Inside the Police Station, they faced the uncertainty and discomfort of detention.

For Hashim, the incident became part of a wider history of student activism, human-rights advocacy and resistance to authoritarian rule in Nigeria.

The protest was more than a demonstration against a visiting foreign leader. It reflected the conviction among Nigerian anti-apartheid campaigners that the struggle against racial oppression in South Africa was a shared African responsibility, and that international leaders should be held accountable for the policies they pursued.

The episode also illustrated the risks activists were prepared to take to challenge political authority and make their views heard, even when doing so brought them into direct conflict with security agencies.

In Sunrise At Midnight, Hashim revisits the incident as a defining episode in his early political life. The account offers a personal perspective on a period when Nigerian students and labour activists joined the international campaign against apartheid, confronting both foreign policy disagreements and domestic restrictions on protest.

Nearly four decades later, the story remains part of Hashim’s public record as an anti-apartheid activist. His recollection brings the reader back to a tense day at Lagos Airport, when five young Nigerians crossed a Police cordon to protest a British Prime Minister’s position on South Africa and paid for the decision with their freedom, at least temporarily.

https://factualtimesng.com/how-gbenga-hashim-and-others-confronted-ex-british-prime-minister-over-support-for-apartheid/

Taking a firm stance on global policy issues, such as the opposition to apartheid-era policies, demonstrates a clear belief in holding international figures accountable. Exposing these historical efforts offers valuable insight into the foundational experiences shaping his public leadership.

Respect! In 1988, Hashim as UNILAG student led protest that broke Police cordon to confront Thatcher at Lagos Airport over her support for Apartheid. He and 4 others were arrested on tarmac. Nearly 4 decades later, this remains part of his public record as anti-apartheid activist. This is real activism, not Twitter activism. True leader who believes international figures should be held accountable.

"This is a powerful reminder of a time when Nigerian youth stood at the forefront of global justice. Gbenga Hashim and his colleagues risked their freedom on that tarmac because they believed an injury to one African was an injury to all. It’s inspiring to see how Nigerian student activism directly shook global figures like Margaret Thatcher over the evils of Apartheid. True heroes!"

his country men are suffering and living in poverty and this one is concern about apartheid

talking about old stuff in 2026...or is it just virtue signaling

motymop:
his country men are suffering and living in poverty and this one is concern about apartheid

talking about old stuff in 2026...or is it just virtue signaling

At least he is known for something tangible whether old or not
Can you describe how you are or have stood for justice in your local neighbourhood?

Kudos to Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim and the Nigerian student activists who stood boldly against apartheid. Their courage in confronting injustice reflects the power of conviction, unity, and the determination to defend human dignity.

RealLordZeus:
At least he is known for something tangible whether old or not
Can you describe how you are or have stood for justice in your local neighbourhood?

The same way someone during his youth was an activist but became a supporter of bad governance in his old age, after an iconic theatre and a road was named after him. Nigerian corrupt politics has a way of turning saints to sinners. It was in Nigeria that a pastor who is also a professor deputized a semi-illiterate for eight years in one of the most corrupt and destructive regime in Nigeria’s history.

motymop:
his country men are suffering and living in poverty and this one is concern about apartheid

talking about old stuff in 2026...or is it just virtue signaling

Well, he might have impacted very well to the sane Nigerians during that time but this is just like the same script they played last the NADECO fighter of defending democracy ended up been worse than Abacha!

Ameerah1234:
Respect! In 1988, Hashim as UNILAG student led protest that broke Police cordon to confront Thatcher at Lagos Airport over her support for Apartheid. He and 4 others were arrested on tarmac. Nearly 4 decades later, this remains part of his public record as anti-apartheid activist. This is real activism, not Twitter activism. True leader who believes international figures should be held accountable.

I grew up in the 70s through 80s and 90s. I can boldly say it that the spirit of activism is dead in Nigeria. There are no more genuine activists, be it student, human right or political activist, everybody is now after money. In those days, activists were so patriotic and passionate about Nigeria, you can't induce them with money. I was there in Ibadan when a convoy of six cars and a case full of cash was set ablaze by UI students because the owner (Arisekola) was a supporter of military government. But today everybody is after money in the name of activism.

Do these ones know the meaning of confrontation?

Bluna:
I grew up in the 70s through 80s and 90s. I can boldly say it that the spirit of activism is dead in Nigeria. There are no more genuine activists, be it student, human right or political activist, everybody is now after money. In those days, activists were so patriotic and passionate about Nigeria, you can't induce them with money. I was there in Ibadan when a convoy of six cars and a case full of cash was set ablaze by UI students because the owner (Arisekola) was a supporter of military government. But today everybody is after money in the name of activism.

I couldn't agree less. You just reminded me of Ali must go protest of 1978.

Another instance was under the military regime of Yakubu Gowon in the 70s, the Student activists of University of Ife planned an historic anti-military demonstration known as "The Great Trek". The plan was to march on foot across nearly 200 kilometers from the campus in Ile-Ife all the way to Dodan Barracks in Lagos. They were eventually blocked by military force.

Excellent! It’s undeniable that Gbenga Hashim’s impact on the discourse is significant. A prime example of how a strong argument can solidify them legacy.

Technical Writer

The same South Africa are paying nigeria back with evil

Nigeria gave mbeki and others free education and asylum

Nigeria spent $61m to ensure ANC stood firm ( punchnews)

Sa you go see

You will see Nigerian youth condemning him because this man is not abusing Tinubu. They will even tell you that Tinubu is worse than Abacha. If they actually believe what they are typing, why can't they stood up and protest against Tinubu. They are all keyboard warriors. They expect power to be giving to them on the platter of Gold.
I am not a kanu supporter but at least he stood up to fight and ready to go to prison for his believe. The same with Tinubu, the power was not giving to him on a platter of gold. He wrestled it . Your future is been mortgaged and you are here running your mouth on the keyboard. If you want power,stand up and fight for it not on keyboard but in the streets.

This one just dey position himself for appointment

Today he is supporting and in the govament that is oppressing nigerians.

Ironic isn't?

LordLicifer:
Today he is supporting and in the govament that is oppressing nigerians.

Ironic isn't?

Are you alright at all?

Why are you acting like a bot

ednut1:
This one just dey position himself for appointment

Mumu talk.

Military Govt offered him ministerial appointment almost 40years ago

experts:
Are you alright at all?

Why are you acting like a bot

Anything else you want to ask?

ths is indeed a bold move towards building a country that deserves international recognition and respect. His excellency, Gbenga Olawepo Hashim has done it again.

This guy right here is the real deal.

Give him another 4 years and he'd be competing with the lkkes of PO for the soul of Nigeria.

So much hope with Tinupoo out the door in January.

inspiring to see a political candidate who actually has a proven record of standing up for justice and human rights from his days as a student activist.

Nomsu247:
inspiring to see a political candidate who actually has a proven record of standing up for justice and human rights from his days as a student activist.

So true. These are the kind of people we should be listening to