The Senate has warned that Nigeria could reconsider its diplomatic ties with South Africa if the renewed wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians persists.
The warning followed a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong over an alleged June 30, 2026, ultimatum issued to Nigerians residing in South Africa.
Lawmakers described the reported development as a grave threat to the safety and livelihoods of Nigerians living in the country.
During Tuesday’s plenary, senators strongly condemned the alleged attacks on Nigerians and their businesses, urging the Federal Government to secure firm assurances from South African authorities regarding the protection of Nigerian citizens.
Senator Salihu Mustapha called for a tougher response, insisting that Nigeria should no longer remain passive in the face of repeated attacks on its citizens.
“We cannot continue to fold our arms while Nigerians are being killed and their businesses looted,” he said.
He further suggested that Nigeria should consider cutting diplomatic ties with South Africa if the attacks continue.
“This is the starting point for a very robust engagement. I suggest we sever all diplomatic relations with South Africa,” Mustapha added.
However, former Senate Leader Yahaya Abdullahi urged caution, warning against taking immediate drastic measures.
He argued that the attacks may be part of a broader effort to destabilise South Africa’s government rather than isolated incidents targeting Nigerians alone.
“This is a coordinated effort to destabilise the government of South Africa and to remove the ruling party, the ANC, from office,” Abdullahi said, while advising Nigeria to approach the matter carefully.
Following its deliberations, the Senate directed the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, to obtain written guarantees from the South African government on the safety and protection of Nigerians living in the country.
The lawmakers also demanded the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks.
In addition, the Senate instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa to compile records of Nigerians who have been killed, injured, displaced, unlawfully detained or whose properties have been destroyed, with a view to pursuing compensation.
The upper chamber further urged the Federal Government to collaborate with the African Union and other affected African countries to establish an early warning system and accountability framework aimed at preventing future xenophobic attacks.
It also mandated its Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs to assess the implementation of previous Senate resolutions on xenophobia and submit a report within two legislative weeks.
Xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians, have remained a recurring issue in South Africa for more than a decade. Several incidents have resulted in deaths, injuries, the destruction of businesses and diplomatic tensions between both countries. Nigeria has repeatedly engaged South African authorities, calling for stronger measures to protect its citizens and prevent future attacks.
