Nigeria’s National Assembly has taken a strong stance against renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa, ordering an immediate suspension of all official parliamentary engagements with the country until further notice.
The directive means senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees and National Assembly officials will no longer participate in official visits, conferences, seminars, workshops or legislative exchange programmes hosted in South Africa.
The suspension also extends to virtual and online parliamentary engagements involving South African legislative authorities.
The decision followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives over growing reports of Nigerians and other African nationals being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon businesses and properties in South Africa.
In a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the legislature expressed concern that repeated diplomatic interventions had failed to prevent the recurrence of xenophobic violence.
The National Assembly said the measure was necessary to send a clear message about Nigeria’s concern for the safety, dignity and welfare of its citizens living and doing legitimate business in South Africa.
“The leadership has directed the Clerk to issue the necessary communication to senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff to ensure strict compliance,” the statement said.
The suspension will remain in place pending a review by the leadership, depending on developments surrounding the situation.
The latest parliamentary action comes after months of escalating concerns over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa.
Nigeria had earlier commenced the evacuation of citizens affected by the renewed violence, with the first batch of 258 Nigerians arriving in Lagos on June 11.
By July 9, approximately 1,000 Nigerians had reportedly returned home after voluntarily registering for the evacuation programme and undergoing government screening.
The exercise continued in August, with additional groups of 83 and 67 Nigerians arriving in Lagos following further incidents of violence.
Government agencies subsequently received the returnees for documentation, profiling and reunification with their families.
Nigeria has also intensified diplomatic pressure on South Africa, demanding stronger action to protect foreign nationals and prosecute those responsible for xenophobic attacks.
The Nigerian government has further begun documenting businesses and properties reportedly abandoned by citizens who fled South Africa, amid efforts to explore possible compensation.
President Bola Tinubu has also raised the matter at the continental level, calling for collective African action against xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.
Tinubu urged the African Union to place the issue on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session scheduled for January 2027.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has similarly condemned the mistreatment of Nigerians and other African nationals while stressing Nigeria’s continued preference for dialogue and peaceful diplomatic engagement.
Despite the suspension, the National Assembly stressed that its decision should not be interpreted as an attempt to sever Nigeria’s longstanding historical, diplomatic and people-to-people relations with South Africa.
Rather, lawmakers described the measure as a firm expression of concern over the treatment of Nigerians in the country.
The legislature called on South African authorities to urgently strengthen the protection of Nigerians and other African nationals, investigate reported attacks, arrest suspected perpetrators and ensure that those found guilty face prosecution.
The National Assembly also urged state Houses of Assembly across Nigeria to take note of the resolution and consider adopting similar measures.
It said it would continue monitoring developments and taking steps deemed necessary to protect the safety and welfare of Nigerians living in South Africa.
