The Nigerian Senate has warned that it could push for diplomatic measures against South Africa following renewed attacks targeting Nigerian citizens living in the country, describing the incidents as unacceptable and a threat to the longstanding ties between Africa’s two largest economies.
The upper chamber expressed deep concern over reports of violence, intimidation and the destruction of property belonging to Nigerians, urging the Federal Government to take immediate steps to protect its citizens abroad and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Lawmakers maintained that while Nigeria remains committed to fostering cordial relations with South Africa, repeated attacks on Nigerians cannot continue without consequences. They stressed that the safety and dignity of Nigerian citizens must remain a priority in the country’s foreign policy engagements.
The Senate called on the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to engage South African authorities at the highest diplomatic level and demand stronger measures to prevent future attacks. It also urged the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria to closely monitor the welfare of affected citizens and provide necessary consular assistance.
The lawmakers further noted that Nigeria and South Africa share deep economic, political and historical ties, particularly in Africa’s struggle against apartheid and efforts to promote regional integration. However, they warned that continued violence against Nigerians risks undermining decades of bilateral cooperation and could strain relations between both countries.
The Senate reaffirmed that every Nigerian living or working abroad deserves protection under international law and urged South African authorities to ensure that perpetrators of xenophobic violence are prosecuted while taking decisive action to prevent a recurrence.
The latest warning comes amid renewed concerns over the safety of foreign nationals in South Africa, where sporadic outbreaks of xenophobic violence have repeatedly drawn condemnation from governments and human rights groups across the continent. Nigeria has consistently called for stronger protections for its citizens and accountability for those behind such attacks.
