By Prevail Inegbenose
The Nigerian Senate has warned that Nigeria may review its diplomatic relations with South Africa if renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians persist, while urging the Federal Government to secure firm guarantees for the safety of Nigerian citizens living in the country.
The position followed a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong during Tuesday’s plenary over an alleged June 30, 2026, ultimatum issued to Nigerians residing in South Africa.
Debating the motion, lawmakers described the reported attacks on Nigerians and their businesses as a grave threat to the lives and livelihoods of citizens abroad.
Senator Salihu Mustapha called for a stronger response from the Federal Government, insisting that Nigeria could no longer remain silent while its citizens were being attacked.
“We cannot continue to fold our arms while Nigerians are being killed and their businesses looted,” he said, adding that Nigeria should consider severing diplomatic ties with South Africa if the attacks continued.
However, former Senate Leader Yahaya Abdullahi urged caution, arguing that the incidents might be part of a broader effort to destabilise South Africa’s government rather than isolated attacks targeting Nigerians.
He advised the Senate to avoid hasty decisions, saying Nigeria should engage the situation with careful diplomacy.
Following deliberations, the Senate directed 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 on the safety and protection of Nigerians. It also called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks.
The upper chamber further mandated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa to document cases involving Nigerians who were killed, injured, displaced, unlawfully detained, or whose properties were destroyed, with a view to pursuing compensation.
In addition, lawmakers urged the Federal Government to collaborate with the African Union and other affected African countries to establish an early warning system and accountability mechanism to prevent future xenophobic attacks across the continent.
The Senate also directed its Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs to review the implementation of previous resolutions on xenophobic attacks and report back within two legislative weeks.