By George Ozalla
The Senate has resolved to constitute a joint ad hoc committee comprising members of both chambers of the National Assembly to address the rising cases of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
The proposed committee, to be led by the leadership of the National Assembly, is expected to undertake a fact-finding and diplomatic visit to South Africa, with a view to identifying lasting solutions to the recurring crisis. As part of its mandate, the delegation will engage directly with the South African Parliament to formally convey Nigeria’s displeasure over the reported attacks on its citizens.
The Senate further resolved to write to the Speaker of the South African Parliament, while also inviting the Minister of Foreign Affairs to brief lawmakers on steps already taken and expected outcomes from ongoing diplomatic engagements.
The upper chamber upheld a motion by Senator Simon Lalong calling for a review of resolutions reached during a 2019 bilateral meeting between Nigeria and South Africa, with the aim of ensuring full implementation of agreed measures.
During deliberations, Senator Adams Oshiomhole proposed the revocation of operational licences of South African companies operating in Nigeria, including MTN and MultiChoice. The proposal was, however, declined on procedural grounds.
In his remarks, the Senate President emphasised the need for sustained diplomatic engagement, noting that economic retaliation against businesses would not be the preferred course of action. He maintained that the Senate considers the reported attacks serious and would treat the matter with urgency.
The resolutions followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Senator Bassey Akpan, drawing attention to what lawmakers described as intensifying xenophobic persecution of Nigerians in South Africa and Ghana, and calling for urgent national, diplomatic and humanitarian intervention.
Debate on the motion exposed divisions within the chamber, as Senator Adamu Aliero called for the matter to be discussed in a closed session, a position immediately opposed by Senator Abdul Ningi and other lawmakers who insisted on open deliberation.
Lawmakers expressed concern not only over reported physical attacks but also over what they described as a growing climate of fear, psychological trauma and dehumanisation faced by Nigerians abroad, noting increasing cases of profiling and targeting based solely on nationality.
The Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of Nigerians who have lost their lives in the attacks, stressing that Nigeria’s longstanding support for South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle remains a defining chapter in the relationship between both countries and should be reflected in the protection and respect accorded to Nigerian citizens today.
