Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and ordered a boycott of legislative programmes organised or hosted by the country until further notice, citing continuing reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals.
The decision followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives over reports that Nigerians had been killed, injured, displaced or forced to abandon businesses, investments, homes and other properties amid recurring violence in South Africa.
In a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the leadership expressed serious concern over the situation and said repeated appeals by the Federal Government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals had not halted reports of further attacks.
Under the new directive, official trips to South Africa by senators, members of the House of Representatives, National Assembly committees, officials and staff have been suspended.
The boycott extends beyond physical visits. It covers conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other programmes organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.
Participation through virtual or online platforms is also prohibited under the resolution.
Ogunlana was directed to communicate the decision to senators, members of the House, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff to ensure strict compliance.
The suspension will remain in force until further notice and may be reviewed by the National Assembly leadership depending on developments.
Nigeria steps up response to attacks
National Assembly’s action comes amid renewed hostility towards African migrants in South Africa and a series of measures by the Nigerian government to assist affected citizens.
Nigeria began evacuating citizens from South Africa in June following renewed xenophobic attacks.
The first batch of 258 Nigerians arrived in Lagos on June 11, with subsequent flights bringing back additional returnees.
By July 9, the number of Nigerians evacuated had risen to about 1,000.
The Federal Government said citizens who voluntarily registered for evacuation, underwent screening and were cleared would be safely returned to Nigeria.
The repatriation continued beyond the initial exercise.
In August, 83 Nigerian returnees arrived in Lagos following renewed attacks, while another 67 returned a week later.
Government agencies received the returnees for documentation, profiling and reunification with their families.
Nigeria seeks action from South Africa
Alongside the evacuation efforts, Nigeria has continued to apply diplomatic pressure on South Africa over the attacks.
In July, the Federal Government urged South African authorities to take concrete measures against recurring xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians.
Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa also disclosed that the government had started documenting businesses and properties abandoned by Nigerians returning home, with the possibility of seeking compensation being considered.
President Bola Tinubu later raised the issue at the African Union, calling for collective action against xenophobia and Afrophobia in South Africa.
Tinubu urged the AU to place xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session scheduled for January 2027.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has also reiterated Nigeria’s opposition to the mistreatment of Nigerians and other African nationals, while maintaining that Nigeria remains committed to dialogue and peaceful engagement with South Africa.
Assembly calls for prosecution of perpetrators
Despite its boycott, the National Assembly said the decision was not intended to undermine Nigeria’s longstanding historical, diplomatic and people-to-people ties with South Africa.
Instead, lawmakers described the suspension as an expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa.
The National Assembly called on the South African government to take urgent and concrete steps to protect Nigerians and other African nationals.
It also demanded that reported attacks be properly investigated, suspected perpetrators arrested and those found culpable prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The legislative leadership further urged state Houses of Assembly to take note of the decision, adding that they may consider adopting similar measures.
The National Assembly said it would continue to monitor developments concerning the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa while reaffirming its commitment to protecting Nigerian citizens abroad.
