NASS SUSPEND OFFICIAL VISITS TO SOUTH AFRICA AS XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS PUT NIGERIANS UNDER PRESSURE!

Reported by Musa Antiketu I journalist at Obaland Magazine

Di National Assembly of Nigeria don suspend all official visits to South Africa. Dem also stop lawmakers, committees, officials and staff from attending any legislative meetings and programmes wey South African authorities dey organise or hosts

Di decision come afta fresh reports of xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation, destruction of property and oda forms of hostility against Nigerians and oda Africans wey dey live and do legitimate business for South Africa. Di leadership of both Senate and House of Representatives take di decision afta consultations, and Clerk to di National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, communicate di directive to lawmakers and workers of di parliament on Friday, September 11, 2026.

Under di new arrangement, official trips to South Africa by senators, members of House of Representatives, committees, parliamentary officials and staff don stop until further notice. Di National Assembly also no go take part in meetings, conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary exchanges or oda legislative programmes wey South African legislative authorities organise, host, sponsor or co-sponsor. Di suspension dey cover even online meetings and virtual legislative activities wey South African parliamentary institutions organise. Any existing invitation or arrangement for official parliamentary engagement with South Africa go undergo fresh review.

But di decision no mean say Nigeria don cut diplomatic relations with South Africa. Di National Assembly make am clear say parliamentary and people-to-people relationship between di two countries still dey important. Lawmakers say di action na strong expression of concern over di safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians wey dey South Africa.

Di main reason for di suspension na di repeated attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals for South Africa. According to Nigerian government officials, at least 98 Nigerians don die since 2022 from mob attacks, hate-related violence and oda killings wey authorities describe as part of di wider wahala of xenophobia and Afrophobia. Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, give di 98 figure during discussions with South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola for Abuja in July.

Di latest wave of tension don lead to serious movement of Nigerians away from South Africa. Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Ajayi Alexander, say 1,695 Nigerians don voluntarily return home this year because of di security situation and threats against foreign nationals. Di figure include 1,490 Nigerians wey return through government-supported arrangements and anoda 205 wey get support from private individuals. Earlier, di Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation confirm say government-sponsored evacuation flights don bring 1,490 Nigerians back home between June and July 2026. Di evacuation exercise involve Nigerian government agencies, Nigerian High Commission for Pretoria and oda partners.

Di National Assembly say some Nigerians wey be victims don suffer killings, injuries and displacement. Some oda reportedly abandon their houses, shops, investments and oda properties because dem fear for dia safety. Di matter no new for South Africa. Anti-foreigner violence don happen different times, with Nigerians and oda Africans sometimes becoming targets during periods of social and economic tension. South Africa get long history of migration from different African countries. Nigerians don contribute to business, education, entertainment and oda areas of life for di country. But unemployment, crime and pressure on public services don create tension. Some groups dey blame foreigners for problems wey get wider social and economic causes.

For June 2026, renewed anti-migrant protests and threats against undocumented foreigners increase tension for different parts of South Africa. Two Nigerians too die for di period, according to Nigerian authorities, wey further increase concern inside Nigeria.

Di Nigerian parliament don call on South African authorities to take urgent steps to protect Nigerians and oda African nationals wey dey live legally and do business for di country. Lawmakers want make authorities investigate di reported attacks, arrest pipo suspected to dey behind di violence and make anybody wey court find guilty face di law. Di National Assembly say protecting pipo wey obey di law and allowing dem to live and do business without fear na important part of rule of law and good relationship between African countries.

South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola visit Abuja in July to discuss di matter with Nigerian officials. During di meeting, South Africa reaffirm say di government no support xenophobia and condemn attacks on foreign nationals.

Di parliamentary suspension fit put pressure on South African authorities to take di safety of Nigerian citizens more seriously. At di same time, di action show say Nigeria still dey use parliamentary and diplomatic channels to respond to attacks on Nigerians abroad without automatically breaking all relations with South Africa. Nigeria and South Africa remain two of Africa’s biggest economies and important political powers. Both countries dey cooperate on trade, investment, security, diplomacy and oda areas. For dat reason, di suspension of parliamentary engagements fit be seen as pressure from Nigeria’s lawmakers rather dan complete diplomatic break.

Di National Assembly say di suspension go remain until further notice, and di leadership fit review di decision when circumstances change. For Nigerians wey dey stay South Africa, di bigger wahala now be protection of life, property and legitimate businesses. For both countries, how dem handle di xenophobia problem go continue to affect not only government relationship but also how ordinary Nigerians and South Africans see and relate with each oda.

Nigeria National Assembly don suspend official visits and parliamentary engagements with South Africa over repeated xenophobic attacks, as 98 Nigerians reportedly die since 2022 and 1,695 return home in 2026.