The Senate on Tuesday rejected proposals to nationalise South African-owned businesses operating in Nigeria as retaliation for the latest wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
Instead, lawmakers condemned the recurring violence and urged the Federal Government to strengthen diplomatic efforts to ensure the safety of Nigerians residing in the country.
The resolutions followed the consideration of a motion titled “Need to Halt the Recurring Xenophobic Attacks and Intimidation Against Nigerians and Other African Nationals in the Republic of South Africa,” sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong.
Presenting the motion, Ekpenyong said renewed anti-foreigner attacks intensified after a June 30, 2026 ultimatum issued by South African vigilante groups directing foreign nationals to leave the country expired. He noted that the attacks have increasingly targeted Nigerians with valid work and residency permits, indicating that the violence is driven by xenophobia rather than immigration enforcement.
During the debate, Senator Eshilokun Wasiu advocated the nationalisation of South African companies operating in Nigeria, including MTN and DStv, as a retaliatory measure.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole also called for a stronger response, proposing that profits generated by South African firms in Nigeria be appropriated to compensate Nigerians who suffered losses if the South African government declined to provide compensation.
According to Oshiomhole, reports suggesting that affected Nigerians would not receive compensation for businesses destroyed, properties looted and lives lost were deeply troubling. He argued that Nigeria should not bear the financial burden of compensating victims while South African companies continued to generate profits within the country.
However, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, urged caution, warning lawmakers against relying on unverified information circulating on social media.
Jibrin maintained that while the attacks on innocent people were unacceptable and deserved condemnation, the Senate should allow due process before taking far-reaching decisions.
He explained that the South African official referenced during the debate had distinguished between individuals occupying properties illegally and those with valid ownership documents, although he stressed that such explanations did not excuse the failure of authorities to protect innocent residents.
Jibrin further called on the South African government to openly communicate any internal security challenges requiring international cooperation while urging the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to conclude its ongoing investigation before additional measures are considered.
Oshiomhole, however, insisted that the Senate should act without further delay, recalling that the issue had already been debated and referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee several weeks earlier. He warned that continued caution could expose more Nigerians to danger.
Following the exchange, Jibrin directed the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to conclude its investigation and submit its report within two weeks.