The Senate on Tuesday rejected calls for the Federal Government to nationalise South African-owned businesses in Nigeria, including MTN and DStv, as retaliation for the renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
The upper chamber, however, strongly condemned the attacks and urged the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic efforts to ensure the safety of Nigerians living in the country.
The issue marked the second time in two months that the Senate has debated the recurring attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South), titled, “Need to Halt the Recurring Xenophobic Attacks and Intimidation Against Nigerians and Other African Nationals in the Republic of South Africa.”
The motion was prompted by a fresh wave of attacks allegedly carried out by vigilante groups after the expiration of a June 30, 2026, ultimatum ordering foreign nationals to leave parts of South Africa.
As part of its resolutions, the Senate urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, to obtain written assurances from the South African government guaranteeing the safety of Nigerians.
It also called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for acts of violence, intimidation, looting and unlawful immigration enforcement targeting Nigerians and other African nationals.
The lawmakers further urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa to strengthen emergency consular support and compile a verified register of Nigerians affected by the attacks, including those who suffered death, injuries, displacement, unlawful detention, or loss of businesses and property.
According to the Senate, the register would facilitate legal redress, restitution and compensation for victims.
The chamber also called on the Federal Government to engage other affected African countries and work through the African Union to establish an effective early warning, monitoring and accountability mechanism to address xenophobic attacks across the continent.
It further directed its Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations to review the implementation of the Senate’s resolutions of May 5, 2026, as well as previous Nigeria-South Africa engagements, and report back within four weeks on actions taken, assurances received and outstanding issues.
During debate on the motion, Senator Wasiu Eshilokun (APC, Lagos Central) proposed that the Federal Government should nationalise South African businesses operating in Nigeria, including MTN and DStv, in response to the attacks.
However, the proposal was rejected by the Senate following opposition from lawmakers, including Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) and Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), who argued against severing economic ties with South Africa.
Speaking during the debate, Oshiomhole expressed concern over reports that a South African minister had suggested Nigerians affected by the attacks would not receive compensation.
“I was alarmed by comments attributed to a South African minister suggesting that compensation would not be paid to Nigerians whose properties were looted, shops burnt, businesses destroyed and lives lost during the recent xenophobic attacks,” he said.
