Nigeria’s National Assembly Suspends All Official Visits to South Africa Over Xenophobic Attacks

The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa with immediate effect. Lawmakers and staff have also been directed to boycott any legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities until further notice.

The directive was announced on Friday in a statement signed by the House of Representatives spokesman, Akin Rotimi.

According to the statement, the decision was taken by the leadership of the National Assembly under Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas. The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, has been asked to communicate the directive to all senators, members, committees, departments and staff.

The suspension follows reports of continued xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation and destruction of property targeting Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa.

The National Assembly said it is particularly concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon businesses, investments, homes and other properties.

The statement noted that the attacks have persisted despite repeated appeals by the Federal Government of Nigeria and other stakeholders to South African authorities to take decisive action to protect foreign nationals and prosecute those behind the violence.

Scope of the suspension

The directive covers all official visits by lawmakers, committees, officials and staff of the National Assembly to South Africa.

It also applies to conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, parliamentary exchanges and other legislative engagements organised, hosted, sponsored or co-sponsored by South African legislative authorities.

The National Assembly said the suspension covers both physical and virtual engagements. No delegation or member is permitted to participate in such engagements during the suspension without the prior express approval of the leadership.

For clarity, the directive states that all official visits to South Africa by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff are suspended. All participation in legislative activities, conferences and exchanges organised by the Parliament of South Africa or other South African legislative authorities is also suspended. The suspension applies to both physical and online programmes. All existing arrangements or invitations involving official visits or legislative engagements in South Africa are to be reviewed in line with the directive.

Background and position

This is not the first time the National Assembly is reacting to xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Earlier this year, it condemned renewed attacks and backed diplomatic efforts to address violence against Nigerians.

The National Assembly said the suspension will remain in force until further notice and may be reviewed by its leadership depending on developments.

It stressed that the action does not amount to a rejection of Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic and people-to-people relationship with South Africa.

While parliamentary diplomacy and inter-legislative cooperation remain important, the statement said, they must rest on mutual respect and a shared commitment to protecting life, property and lawful enterprise.

Why it matters

The move signals growing frustration within Nigeria’s legislature over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa. It also puts pressure on diplomatic channels to secure better protection for Nigerians abroad and ensure accountability for perpetrators of xenophobic violence.