The Nigerian National Assembly has suspended official visits to South Africa until further notice and to boycott parliamentary activities organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.
The decision to suspend planned official visits by the Nigerian Parliament to South Africa was made by the leadership of both chambers – led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen – the House spokesperson announced on
Friday.
This move comes amidst persistent reports of xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation, destruction of property, and other hostile acts targeting Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa.
In a communication addressed to senators, members of the House, committees, departments, and staff of the National Assembly, the institution’s Clerk, Kamoru Ogunlana, expressed concern over reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, or displaced, as well as forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes, and other assets.
The measure entails the suspension of all official visits to South Africa by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials, and staff.
It also covers participation in conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, parliamentary exchanges, and other activities organised, hosted, sponsored, or co-sponsored by the South African Parliament or other legislative authorities in the country.
The suspension applies to both in-person and online engagements. Any participation in such activities requires prior express authorisation from the National Assembly leadership.
Furthermore, existing arrangements, invitations, or schedules involving official visits or parliamentary activities in South Africa must be reviewed in accordance with this directive.
The National Assembly has called on the South African government to take urgent measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, prevent further xenophobic violence, investigate reported incidents, arrest suspects, and bring those found guilty to justice.
The Nigerian National Assembly also invited the state assemblies of the federation to take note of its decision and consider similar measures.
However, the Nigerian Parliament emphasised that this decision does not undermine the historical, diplomatic, and people-to-people ties between Nigeria and South Africa.
It reaffirmed its commitment to diplomatic and parliamentary cooperation, while maintaining that such cooperation must be grounded in mutual respect and the protection of people and property.
The suspension and boycott will remain in effect until further notice, subject to review by the National Assembly leadership depending on how the situation evolves.
This decision comes as several African countries have organised the return of their nationals facing a deteriorating security situation in South Africa. Nigeria had officially evacuated 1,490 of its nationals between June and July 2026, with the total number of repatriated or evacuated Nigerians rising to 1,699 by September, according to Nigerian authorities.
On September 4, Ghana also concluded an operation that repatriated 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa. Launched on May 27 – prompted by a surge in xenophobic attacks and intimidation against African nationals – the operation utilised both commercial and chartered flights.
Several other African countries have also repatriated their nationals for the same reasons.
AC/Sf/fss/as/APA