Nigeria Won’t Target South African Businesses Amid Xenophobia Crisis — Akpabio

The National Assembly has resolved to set up a joint ad hoc committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives to carry out a holistic investigation into the rising cases of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

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The committee, to be led by the Chairman of the National Assembly, is expected to undertake a fact-finding and diplomatic visit to South Africa aimed at finding lasting solutions to the crisis.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, dismissed suggestions of economic retaliation against South African businesses operating in Nigeria, insisting that diplomacy remains the preferred path.

“My stand on this matter is not the action of revoking any license. We are not going to touch any businesses of South Africa and we won’t touch any business of any country,” Akpabio said on the floor of the Senate.

He added, “We believe strongly that with diplomatic engagements, these issues will be resolved.”

Akpabio, however, stressed that Nigeria would not ignore the killings and attacks against its citizens abroad.

“But at the same time we demand justice for those who have been killed, we demand reparations, we demand compensation. What has been done is unacceptable not just to Nigeria but to the international community,” he said.

According to him, the Senate views the situation with seriousness and will work with the House of Representatives to develop “very actionable plans” to address the crisis.

As part of its mandate, the delegation is expected to visit the South African Parliament to formally express Nigeria’s displeasure over the reported attacks.

The Senate also plans to write to the Speaker of the South African Parliament and invite Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs to brief lawmakers on diplomatic engagements.

The upper chamber also endorsed a resolution by Senator Simon Lalong calling for a review of agreements reached during a 2019 bilateral meeting between Nigeria and South Africa to ensure full implementation.

The Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of Nigerians who lost their lives in the attacks.

The resolutions followed a motion of urgent national importance raised under the title “Intensifying Xenophobic Persecution of Nigerians in South Africa and Ghana: A Call for Urgent National, Diplomatic and Humanitarian Action to Defend the Dignity, Safety and Honour of Nigerian Citizens.”

The motion was sponsored by Senator Osita Izunaso and read on his behalf by Senator Aniekan Bassey, under Orders 41 and 42 of the Senate Standing Rules.

During debate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole called for a tougher response, urging the Federal Government to consider sanctions against South African companies operating in Nigeria.

“I don’t want this Senate to be shedding tears to sympathise with those who have died. We didn’t come here to shed tears,” Oshiomhole said.

“I am not going to shed tears. If you hit me, I hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It is an economic struggle.”

He argued that Nigeria must respond firmly, adding that companies such as MTN and MultiChoice could be affected if hostility continues.

“We hit back, the President of South Africa will not only talk but will also go on his knees to recognise that Nigerians cannot be intimidated,” he added.

However, lawmakers were divided over the approach. Senator Adamu Aliero moved for the motion to be stepped down for a closed-door session, but the proposal was rejected following opposition led by Senator Abdul Ningi and others, who insisted on an open debate.

Lawmakers expressed concern over rising cases of profiling, violence, and psychological trauma faced by Nigerians abroad, noting that many are being targeted solely based on nationality.

In his closing remarks, Akpabio reaffirmed that while Nigeria would pursue justice for victims, diplomatic engagement remains the government’s primary strategy.

“The Senate views these attacks as serious and will address the matter with the urgency it deserves,” he said.