Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended all official visits and engagements with South Africa, citing continued violence against immigrants, including attacks on Nigerian citizens.
The suspension covers the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff. It also extends to virtual engagements, according to a statement issued on Friday by lower-house spokesperson Akin Rotimi.
Rotimi said parliament could not ignore persistent attacks on Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
The Clerk to Nigeria’s National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, said lawmakers were particularly concerned about reports of Nigerians being killed, injured and displaced, as well as losing businesses, homes, investments and other property during recurring attacks.
South Africa has long attracted immigrants from across Africa, both documented and undocumented. However, the country continues to face high unemployment, strained public services and serious crime, with migrants increasingly blamed for socioeconomic problems that analysts say have deeper structural causes.
Anti-immigration protests have intensified in recent months. In Durban last week, protesters clashed with Congolese nationals at an encampment. In other incidents, demonstrators have reportedly gone door-to-door, removing foreign nationals from their homes and handing them over to police.
Even migrants with valid documentation have reportedly been caught up in the unrest.
Nigeria has repeatedly raised concerns over the safety of its citizens. In June, two Nigerians were killed amid anti-migrant violence, according to Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry. One was allegedly killed by police officers, while the other was reportedly attacked by unidentified assailants.
During talks with South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola in Abuja in July, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, said at least 98 Nigerians had been killed since 2022 in mob attacks, hate-related violence and alleged extrajudicial killings.
The latest parliamentary decision follows a June 30 deadline issued by some South African protesters demanding that undocumented foreigners leave the country.
South African police have reported at least four migrant deaths linked to the violence, although some foreign governments have cited higher figures.
South African government data indicate that nearly 90,000 people have either been deported or voluntarily repatriated since migration tensions escalated. Figures from migrants’ home governments put the number at approximately 178,000.
Nigeria’s move is likely to increase diplomatic pressure on Pretoria to address xenophobia and improve protection for foreign nationals living in South Africa.
