Xenophobia: National Assembly suspends all official visits to South Africa

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and ordered a boycott of legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities, citing concerns over the safety of Nigerians living and doing business in the country.

The decision was announced on Friday, following consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

In a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the leadership said it was particularly concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured and displaced, with some forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties amid recurring violent attacks.

The suspension covers official visits to South Africa by members of the National Assembly, its committees, officials and staff. It also extends to conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other activities organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.

The boycott will apply to both physical attendance and participation through virtual platforms, according to the statement.

The National Assembly said the decision followed continued reports of violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other forms of hostility directed at Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.

It noted that repeated appeals by the Nigerian government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to strengthen the protection of Nigerians and other foreign nationals and bring perpetrators of attacks to justice had not prevented further reports of violence.

The latest move comes amid renewed concerns over anti-migrant violence in South Africa. The Associated Press reported on Friday that violent protests that began earlier in 2026 had led to deaths, injuries and displacement among migrants, contributing to tensions between South Africa and other African countries.

The National Assembly, however, stressed that the decision was not intended to undermine Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic and people-to-people relations with South Africa.

Instead, lawmakers described the measure as an expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in the country.

The Nigerian lawmakers called on the South African government to take urgent measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, investigate reported attacks, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found responsible.

The National Assembly leadership has also urged the leadership of Nigeria’s State Houses of Assembly to take note of the decision and consider similar measures.

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