Nigeria Suspends All Official Visits to South Africa Over Xenophobic Attacks

The decision, announced on Friday, followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, communicated the resolution in a statement, directing all senators, members, committees and staff to comply strictly.

A Direct Response to Continued Attacks

The National Assembly expressed grave concern over reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and properties in South Africa. The leadership noted that despite repeated appeals by the Nigerian government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to take decisive action, reports of xenophobic incidents have continued to emerge.

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The resolution covers official visits by lawmakers, committees, officials and staff, as well as participation in conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings and legislative exchanges organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities. It also extends to virtual participation in South African-hosted legislative programmes.

A Strong Expression of Concern, Not a Diplomatic Rupture

The National Assembly stressed that the decision was not aimed at undermining the longstanding historical, diplomatic and people-to-people relations between Nigeria and South Africa. Rather, it described the move as "a strong expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa."

While parliamentary diplomacy and inter-legislative cooperation remain important, they must rest on mutual respect and a shared commitment to protecting life, property and lawful enterprise, the statement noted.

Calls for Urgent Action

The National Assembly called on the South African government to take urgent and concrete measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, prevent further attacks, thoroughly investigate reported incidents, arrest suspected perpetrators and ensure those found culpable are prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The leadership also urged the 36 State Houses of Assembly to take note of the decision and consider adopting similar measures in solidarity with Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks.

The Broader Diplomatic Context

The suspension follows months of escalating tensions. At least 90 Nigerians have been killed in Afrophobic violence in South Africa since June 2022, according to Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye.

The Federal Government has evacuated over 1,500 Nigerians from South Africa since June 2026, with the support of private donors and the church. The Redeemed Christian Church of God recently donated $265,850 to fund the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians.

Nigeria has also formally raised the issue at the African Union, with President Bola Tinubu calling for collective action and demanding the matter be placed on the agenda of the next AU Assembly session in January 2027. Tinubu stressed that while South Africa has a sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, the attacks require urgent collective attention and "undermine African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence."

The South African government has acknowledged the tensions, with President Cyril Ramaphosa expressing that South Africans are "deeply concerned and ashamed" of the ill-treatment of foreign nationals and calling for an Africa-wide conference on migration.

With reporting from Vanguard, The Sun Nigeria, Channels Television, Arise TV, The Punch, Premium Times and allAfrica.com.