The Senate on Tuesday held a heated and emotionally charged session over renewed xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians in South Africa, exposing sharp divisions among lawmakers between calls for retaliatory sanctions and appeals for diplomatic restraint.
The debate, triggered by a motion of urgent national importance, reflected deep concern in the upper chamber as senators cited fresh reports of killings, displacement, and harassment of Nigerians in South Africa and parts of Ghana. Lawmakers described the attacks as “barbaric, dehumanising, and unacceptable,” warning that continued violence against Nigerian citizens abroad demands urgent attention.
Senator Aniekan Bassey, who sponsored the motion, characterised the situation as a “systematic pattern of persecution,” noting that Nigerians were increasingly profiled and targeted. Supporting the motion, Senator Osita Izunaso stressed that such acts violate regional and international laws.
Tensions escalated when Senator Adams Oshiomhole advocated strong economic retaliation against South African businesses operating in Nigeria, suggesting the withdrawal of operational licences as a deterrent. However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio intervened, urging restraint and cautioning against actions that could escalate tensions into economic conflict.
“We must not allow emotion to override diplomacy,” Akpabio stated, emphasising that while Nigeria would act decisively, it must do so responsibly through structured diplomatic engagement.
Following deliberations, the Senate resolved to constitute a high-level delegation, led by the Senate President, to engage South African authorities and formally convey Nigeria’s concerns.
Meanwhile, the ECOWAS Parliament directed its Committee on Political Affairs to examine the issue and present recommendations for consideration, underscoring the broader regional implications of the attacks.
In a related development, the House of Representatives called on the Federal Government to suspend the issuance of business permits to South African firms operating in Nigeria as a response to the violence. The House also urged a comprehensive review of bilateral agreements, including trade and aviation ties, pending concrete actions by South African authorities to address the situation and prosecute offenders.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Donald Ojogo and seconded by Billy Osawaru during plenary presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
The ECOWAS Parliament further urged member states to summon South African High Commissioners to register formal protests over the attacks, while calling for the ratification of the African Union Protocol on Free Movement of Persons. It also warned that insecurity in neighbouring countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso could have wider implications for the region if not addressed collaboratively.
Commenting on the situation, international law expert Dr. Festus Ogwuche described the xenophobic incidents as regrettable, noting that government inaction may be perceived as tacit support. Public affairs analyst Paul Ejime attributed the tensions partly to economic challenges and a lack of historical awareness among younger populations, recalling Nigeria’s significant contributions to South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle.
Lawmakers across both chambers ultimately emphasised the need for swift diplomatic engagement to safeguard Nigerian citizens while preventing further escalation of tensions between the two nations.