The boycott follows Nigeria’s evacuation of nearly 1,000 citizens since June, as lawmakers say repeated appeals to Pretoria have failed to stop the violence.
The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers and officials to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by the country until further notice, citing persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by Kamoru Ogunlana, Clerk to the National Assembly, the leadership of both chambers attributed the decision to continuing reports of violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other forms of hostility directed at Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The directive followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives, with Speaker Tajudeen Abbas specifically directing the Clerk to communicate the decision to all senators, House members, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff for compliance.
Why lawmakers say they’ve had enough
“The Leadership is particularly concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties as a result of recurring violent attacks,” the statement read.
“In view of these developments and following consultations between the Leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the National Assembly has resolved to suspend all official visits to the Republic of South Africa and to boycott South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities and engagements until further notice.”
The National Assembly said repeated appeals by the Nigerian government and other stakeholders, urging South African authorities to protect foreign nationals and prosecute perpetrators, had failed to stop further incidents.
In July, Sola Enikanolaiye, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, disclosed that official records show 98 Nigerians have been killed in mob and hate-related attacks in South Africa since 2022.
What the suspension actually covers
The resolution applies to official visits by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff, and extends to conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings and legislative exchanges organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities, whether attended physically or virtually.
Ogunlana said the decision was not intended to damage Nigeria’s broader relationship with South Africa.
“Rather, it is a strong expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa,” he said.
The National Assembly called on the South African government to take “urgent and concrete measures” to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, and to “investigate reported incidents thoroughly, arrest suspected perpetrators and ensure that those found culpable are prosecuted in accordance with the law.”
Part of a broader evacuation and diplomatic response
The legislative boycott follows months of escalating concern at the federal level. Nigeria began evacuating citizens from South Africa in June following renewed xenophobic attacks, with the first batch of 258 Nigerians arriving in Lagos on 11 June.
Subsequent evacuation flights brought the total number of returnees to about 1,000 by 9 July, with the government saying Nigerians who voluntarily registered, were screened and cleared would continue to be brought home safely.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has separately reiterated Nigeria’s opposition to the mistreatment of Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, while stressing that the country remains committed to dialogue and peaceful engagement with Pretoria rather than a full diplomatic rupture.
The National Assembly’s latest measure, while stopping short of severing ties, marks one of the most concrete institutional responses yet from Nigeria’s federal legislature to the recurring violence.
“The suspension and boycott shall remain in force until further notice, subject to review by the Leadership of the National Assembly as circumstances warrant,” Ogunlana added.
