The National Assembly has approved the formation of a joint ad‑hoc committee comprising members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to investigate the surge in xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa. Chaired by the Speaker of the National Assembly, the committee will conduct a fact‑finding mission and diplomatic visit to South Africa with the aim of identifying durable solutions to the crisis.
During the planned visit, the delegation will meet officials of the South African Parliament to formally convey Nigeria’s strong displeasure over the reported assaults. The Senate also intends to write to the Speaker of the South African Parliament and to invite the South African Minister of Foreign Affairs to brief Nigerian lawmakers on the outcomes of the engagements.
The Senate reaffirmed a resolution originally tabled by Senator Simon Lalong, calling for a review of the agreements reached at the 2019 bilateral meeting between Nigeria and South Africa to ensure full implementation. In addition, senators observed a minute of silence in memory of Nigerians who have lost their lives in the attacks.
The committee’s work follows a motion of urgent national importance raised by Senator Bassey, titled “Intensifying Xenophobic Persecution of Nigerians in South Africa and Ghana: A Call for Urgent National, Diplomatic and Humanitarian Action to Defend the Dignity, Safety and Honour of Nigerian Citizens.” The motion, sponsored by Senator Osita Izunaso (APC, Imo West) and read on his behalf by Senator Aniekan Bassey (APC, Akwa Ibom North‑East), was considered under Senate Standing Orders 41 and 42.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) called for a retaliatory response against South African businesses operating in Nigeria, suggesting that licences of companies such as MTN and Multichoice be revoked. He argued that Nigeria must respond firmly to what he described as persistent hostility toward its citizens and warned that economic retaliation could be justified if diplomatic efforts fail.
Debate over the motion was contentious. Senator Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi Central) urged that the motion be withdrawn and debated in closed session, a proposal that was immediately opposed by Senator Abdul‑Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) and other members who insisted on an open deliberation. Lawmakers expressed concern not only about the physical attacks but also about the broader climate of fear, psychological trauma and dehumanisation experienced by Nigerians abroad, noting an increase in profiling based solely on nationality.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized the importance of diplomatic engagement, stating that economic retaliation would not be the preferred course of action. He affirmed that the Senate regards the reported attacks as serious and will address the matter with the urgency it deserves.
The joint committee is expected to complete its fact‑finding mission and submit a report to the National Assembly within the next two months, after which further diplomatic steps will be considered.
