Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and ordered a boycott of South African-hosted legislative engagements, escalating pressure on Pretoria over renewed concerns about xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals.
The decision, announced by the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives, follows reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon businesses, homes and other property amid recurring violence in South Africa.
The National Assembly said it could no longer ignore continuing reports of attacks, intimidation, destruction of property and other forms of hostility against Nigerians and other foreign nationals, despite repeated calls for stronger intervention by South African authorities.
Under the resolution, the suspension applies to all official visits to South Africa involving the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff.
The boycott also covers conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other programmes organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.
Significantly, the restriction extends beyond physical attendance, with Nigerian lawmakers and officials also barred from participating virtually in South African-hosted legislative programmes.
The leadership has directed the Clerk of the National Assembly to communicate the decision to senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff for immediate compliance.
Lawmakers stressed, however, that the move was not intended to sever or undermine Nigeria’s longstanding historical, diplomatic and people-to-people relations with South Africa.
Instead, they described it as a strong expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living, working and conducting legitimate business in the country.
The National Assembly called on the South African government to take urgent and concrete measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, prevent further xenophobic attacks, thoroughly investigate reported incidents and ensure those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
Lawmakers also acknowledged interventions by Nigeria’s Federal Government and other stakeholders aimed at assisting Nigerians affected by the violence, including efforts to facilitate evacuations where necessary.
The National Assembly further urged state Houses of Assembly across Nigeria to take note of the resolution and consider adopting similar measures.
The move marks a significant escalation in Nigeria’s legislative response to concerns over the treatment and safety of its citizens in South Africa, adding a new diplomatic dimension to a recurring source of tension between two of Africa’s most influential states.
Nigeria and South Africa maintain extensive political, economic and diplomatic ties and have both played prominent roles in continental institutions and African diplomacy.
However, periodic outbreaks of xenophobic violence in South Africa have repeatedly strained relations, particularly when Nigerian nationals and businesses have been among those affected.
For Nigerian lawmakers, the latest decision is intended to signal that attacks on African migrants cannot be treated solely as a domestic South African issue when citizens of other African states are affected.
The National Assembly said it would continue monitoring developments concerning the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa.
The suspension and boycott will remain in force until further notice and will be reviewed by the leadership of the National Assembly should circumstances change.
