The Nigerian Senate, has condemned the renewed wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in the Republic of South Africa.
It subsequently directed the federal government to immediately secure written assurances from Pretoria on the safety of Nigerians while demanding the arrest and prosecution of those behind the violence.
The upper chamber also warned that Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to African solidarity should not be mistaken for weakness, insisting that the repeated intimidation, displacement, unlawful profiling and attacks on Nigerians had gone beyond immigration enforcement and now amounted to outright xenophobic hostility.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who lamented the renewed campaign of intimidation against Nigerians after anti-migrant groups in South Africa issued an ultimatum directing undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country by June 30, 2026.
Ekpenyong told the Senate that the expiration of the ultimatum had been followed by widespread reports of fear, demonstrations, displacement, violence and attacks on foreign-owned businesses and homes.
According to him, the intimidation had extended beyond undocumented migrants to Nigerians and other foreigners possessing valid residence, work and immigration permits.
Supporting the motion, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno described the recurring attacks as an unfortunate cycle that resurfaced every one or two years.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu recalled Nigeria’s enormous sacrifices in the struggle against apartheid and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for facilitating the evacuation of Nigerians willing to return home.
Senator Abdul Ningi argued that Nigeria’s foreign policy should place Nigerians at its centre.
Responding, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, said Abdullahi’s intervention had introduced an important dimension deserving careful consideration.
He urged restraint and directed the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to investigate developments in South Africa and submit a comprehensive report within two legislative weeks.
Akpabio also appealed to senators seeking the nationalisation of South African businesses or the severance of diplomatic relations to suspend such proposals pending the committee’s report.
The Senate subsequently adopted the substantive prayers of the motion by urging the federal government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, to obtain written assurances from the South African government on the protection of Nigerians.
The Senate then demanded the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of the attacks, strengthened emergency consular services and established a verified register of affected Nigerians for legal redress, restitution and compensation.
