Lawmakers suspend South Africa visits over attacks on Nigerians
Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended official visits to South Africa and barred participation in legislative events hosted by the country, citing continuing reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals.
The decision, announced in a statement signed by the clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives.
Parliamentary leaders expressed concern over reports of Nigerians being killed, injured and displaced, with others forced to abandon their homes, businesses and investments.
They said repeated appeals by the Nigerian government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to protect foreign nationals and hold perpetrators accountable had failed to stop reports of further attacks.
The suspension applies to lawmakers, committees, officials and staff of the National Assembly. It covers conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings and legislative exchanges organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities, including participation online.
Ogunlana was directed to notify all affected offices and personnel to ensure compliance. The restrictions will remain in place until further notice, with parliamentary leaders reviewing the decision as circumstances change.
The National Assembly acknowledged the federal government’s efforts to support affected Nigerians and arrange their return home.
Nigeria began evacuating citizens in June following renewed attacks. The first group of 258 returnees arrived in Lagos on 11 June, while subsequent flights brought the total to about 1,000 by 9 July.
Further arrivals followed in August, when 83 Nigerians returned to Lagos and another 67 arrived a week later. Government agencies received them for documentation and assistance with reuniting with their families.
The government said the evacuation programme covered Nigerians who voluntarily registered and completed screening.
Alongside the evacuations, Nigeria has pressed South Africa to address the violence. Nigeria’s acting high commissioner said officials had begun recording businesses and properties abandoned by returnees as part of efforts to pursue possible compensation.
President Bola Tinubu also called for collective action through the African Union, while vice-president Kashim Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s opposition to the mistreatment of African nationals and its commitment to dialogue.
Parliamentary leaders said the boycott reflected concern for the safety, dignity and livelihoods of Nigerians in South Africa. They stressed that it was not intended to damage the countries’ longstanding diplomatic and historical ties.
They urged South African authorities to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, prevent further attacks, investigate reported incidents and bring those responsible to justice.
State houses of assembly were also invited to consider similar measures. The National Assembly said it would continue monitoring the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa.