Members of Nigeria’s National Assembly have decided to stop official visits to South Africa. They will also boycott legislative seminars, conferences, and other events organized by the South African parliament.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, shared this news in a statement on Thursday.
Ogunlana, who is a lawyer, explained that the decision comes after ongoing xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and their businesses in South Africa. These attacks have led to deaths and injuries among Nigerian citizens.
He pointed out that these attacks have continued even after the Nigerian government stepped in and the National Assembly made resolutions regarding the issue.
"The Leadership is particularly concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes, and other properties as a result of recurring violent attacks," he said.
Ogunlana added that despite repeated appeals from the Nigerian government and others, the South African authorities have not done enough to protect Nigerians. There have been many reports of such incidents.
"The Leadership also acknowledges the intervention of the Federal Government of Nigeria and other stakeholders, including efforts to assist affected Nigerians and facilitate the evacuation of Nigerian nationals from South Africa," he stated.
Given these developments and after discussions between Senate and House leaders, the National Assembly has decided to halt all official visits to South Africa. They will also boycott any South African-hosted or organized legislative activities until further notice.
The resolution includes all official visits by National Assembly members, committees, lawmakers, officials, and staff. It also covers participation in conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, and other activities hosted by South African legislative authorities.
This latest decision is not the first time Nigerian lawmakers have reacted strongly to xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa. In May, the Senate condemned the attacks and planned to send a delegation to South Africa to discuss the safety of Nigerians.
The proposed delegation was supposed to be led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The Senate also asked for better protection for Nigerians and called for more diplomatic efforts to end the attacks. It is unclear if the delegation ever made the trip, as there are no public records confirming this.
During the May debate, Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) urged for stronger economic actions against South Africa. He suggested Nigeria should consider revoking the licenses of South African companies operating in Nigeria.
He highlighted companies like MTN and MultiChoice, saying Nigerians could take over the business opportunities. However, the Senate did not support his idea. Akpabio said they preferred diplomatic talks instead of taking actions against South African companies.
In July, the issue came up again when Wasiu Eshinlokun (APC, Lagos Central) suggested that South African businesses in Nigeria should be nationalized. He wanted the money from these companies to compensate Nigerians who had lost property in xenophobic attacks.
He also mentioned MTN and DStv during the discussions. But his proposal was rejected. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau ruled that it was outside the motion’s scope and asked the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to look into the issue. The Senate later approved the original resolutions without including the nationalization proposal.
This debate reminded many of the National Assembly's response to the xenophobic attacks in 2019. Back then, lawmakers also called for actions against South African businesses in Nigeria. Then Senate Whip Orji Kalu suggested closing South African businesses like MTN, DStv, and Shoprite if the South African government did not protect Nigerians.
The current xenophobic crisis has led to a significant evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa. The Nigerian government helped 1,490 Nigerians return home in July, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The last flight brought 305 Nigerians back from Johannesburg.
The first batch arrived in Lagos in June, with 262 Nigerians and three government officials on board. Over 1,000 Nigerians had signed up for voluntary repatriation due to safety concerns.
Some returnees said they faced challenges renewing their residence permits. Others mentioned fears from anti-immigrant protests. South African officials said some were undocumented migrants, showing the differing views of both governments on the returnees’ status.
By July, Nigeria reported that about 1,490 citizens were repatriated after the unrest. During talks later that month, Nigerian officials said they were also gathering claims for compensation for property losses faced by Nigerians in South Africa.
Sola Enikanolaiye, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, stated that at least 98 Nigerians had died in xenophobic attacks in South Africa since 2022. This highlighted the recurring pattern of violence against Nigerians.
Ogunlana said the decision to boycott events is not meant to harm diplomatic ties between Nigeria and South Africa. It is meant as an expression of concern for the safety of Nigerians there.
"The Leadership has directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to inform all Distinguished Senators, Honourable Members of the House of Representatives, Committees, departments, directorates, officials, and staff to ensure compliance with the resolution," he added.
The National Assembly urged the South African government to take immediate action to protect Nigerians. They want to see justice for those behind the xenophobic attacks.
"The Leadership calls on the Government of South Africa to take urgent and concrete measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, prevent further attacks, investigate incidents, arrest suspects, and prosecute those found guilty," he said.
The Clerk also encouraged state Houses of Assembly in Nigeria to consider a similar boycott of events organized by South Africa.
Ogunlana emphasized that the National Assembly will keep monitoring the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa. He urged state Houses to consider following their lead.
"The Leadership reaffirms the commitment of the National Assembly to protect Nigerian citizens abroad and will keep an eye on the situation regarding Nigerians in South Africa. The suspension and boycott will stay in place until further notice and may be reviewed based on circumstances," he concluded.
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