Xenophobic attacks: Senate declines calls for FG to take over MTN, DStv
The Senate on Tuesday rejected calls to nationalise South African-owned businesses, including MTN and DStv, in retaliation for the ongoing xenophobic attacks on Nigerians, even as it strongly condemned the violence and urged the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic efforts to protect Nigerians in the country.
Urges FG to Secure Written Assurance about the Safety of Citizens from South Africa
Calls for Arrest, Prosecution of Perpetrators
The Senate on Tuesday rejected calls to nationalise South African-owned businesses, including MTN and DStv, in retaliation for the ongoing xenophobic attacks on Nigerians, even as it strongly condemned the violence and urged the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic efforts to protect Nigerians in the country.
The discussion forms the second time in two months the attention of the Nigerian Senate is again drawn to xenophobic attacks on citizens in South Africa.
The Upper Chamber has also urged 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 regarding the protection of Nigerians following the expiration of the 30 June 2026 ultimatum and to demand the arrest and prosecution of all persons responsible for violence, intimidation, looting and unlawful immigration enforcement.
Resolutions of the Senate on Tuesday were a sequel to a motion titled “Motion on the Need to Halt the Recurring Xenophobic Attacks and Intimidation Against Nigerians and Other African Nationals in the Republic of South Africa”.
It was sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, APC, Cross River South.
The motion comes following a fresh wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals residing in the Republic of South Africa after the expiration of the June 30th deadline that was imposed on them to leave the country by vigilante groups.
The Senate has urged the federal government to ensure that perpetrators of these deadly acts are made to face the full wrath of the law, just as it has asked the government to secure written assurance about the safety of citizens from South Africa.
The Upper Chamber has also called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa to strengthen emergency consular arrangements and establish a verified register of Nigerians who have suffered death, injury, displacement, unlawful detention, or loss of businesses and property, with a view to facilitating legal redress, restitution and compensation.
It has further urged the federal government to engage other affected African countries and work through the African Union to establish an effective early warning, monitoring and accountability mechanism for xenophobic attacks and related violence across the continent.
The Senate has directed its committees on foreign affairs and diaspora and non-governmental organisations to review the implementation of the Senate’s resolutions of 5 May 2026 and previous Nigeria–South Africa engagements and report back to the Senate within four weeks on measures taken, assurances obtained, and outstanding actions required.
Rejection of calls on the federal government to sever ties with South Africa came from Senators Adams Oshiomhole, APC, Edo North and Abdul Ningi, Bauchi Central, and a call to nationalise South African businesses in Nigeria was raised by Senator Eshilokun Wasiu, APC, Lagos Central.
Senator Oshiomhole in his additional prayer said, “My name is Adams Oshiomhole, representing the good people of Edo North. I rise to move an amendment to the motion. I was alarmed by comments attributed to a South African minister suggesting that compensation would not be paid to Nigerians whose properties were looted, shops burnt, businesses destroyed, and lives lost during the recent xenophobic attacks.
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