Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers, committees, officials and staff to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by the country until further notice.
The decision follows renewed reports of xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa. The resolution was communicated in a statement signed by Kamoru Ogunlana, Clerk to the National Assembly, who said the leadership was “gravely concerned” about the continuing reports of violence.
According to the statement, Nigerians have reportedly been killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon businesses, investments, homes and other properties amid recurring attacks. Ogunlana said the suspension covers both physical and virtual legislative engagements involving the National Assembly.
The National Assembly stressed that the measure was not intended to undermine Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic and people-to-people relations with South Africa. Rather, it described the decision as an expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in the country.
The legislature also called on the South African government to take urgent measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, thoroughly investigate reported attacks, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found responsible.
The development is significant because Nigeria and South Africa maintain important political, economic and diplomatic ties. The parliamentary boycott could add pressure on South African authorities to address concerns over the treatment and security of Nigerian nationals.
The suspension will remain in force until further notice, although the National Assembly leadership said it could review the decision depending on developments.
The latest action comes amid longstanding concerns over xenophobia in South Africa. In July 2026, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, said official records showed that 98 Nigerians had been killed in mob and hate-related attacks in South Africa since 2022.
