ABUJA, Nigeria — September 12, 2026
Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended all official parliamentary visits to South Africa and ordered lawmakers and officials to boycott legislative activities organised or hosted by South African authorities.
The decision, announced on September 11, comes amid mounting concern over recurring xenophobic and anti-migrant violence targeting Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa.
The directive followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.
What the suspension covers
Under the directive, senators, members of the House of Representatives, National Assembly committees, officials and staff are barred from undertaking official visits to South Africa until further notice.
The boycott also covers conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary exchanges, meetings and other legislative programmes organised, hosted, sponsored or co-sponsored by South African legislative institutions.
Significantly, the restriction is not limited to physical travel. Participation in virtual and online legislative engagements hosted by South African institutions is also suspended.
Any participation during the suspension would require prior approval from the leadership of Nigeria’s National Assembly.
Concern over attacks on Nigerians
The National Assembly said it was particularly concerned about reports of Nigerians being killed, injured and displaced, while others have reportedly been forced to abandon businesses, investments, homes and property because of recurring violence.
The lawmakers expressed frustration that attacks have continued despite previous appeals for South African authorities to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Nigeria has repeatedly raised concerns about anti-migrant violence in South Africa. Nigerian officials said in July that at least 98 Nigerians had been killed in mob attacks, hate-related violence and alleged extrajudicial killings in South Africa since 2022.
The situation has also resulted in Nigerians being evacuated from South Africa during 2026.
Two more Nigerian deaths raise concern
The diplomatic tension comes as Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the recent deaths of two Nigerians in South Africa.
The ministry identified them as James Uchechukwu Nwankwo and Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle.
According to the ministry, Nwankwo died following alleged interrogation by police officers in Cape Town on September 5, while Fakunle was killed at his residence in Johannesburg on September 4.
The circumstances surrounding the incidents have intensified calls for stronger protection of Nigerians living in South Africa.
Nigeria maintains diplomatic ties
Despite the suspension, the National Assembly stressed that its decision should not be interpreted as a complete breakdown of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa.
Nigeria and South Africa remain two of Africa’s most influential economies and have longstanding political, economic and people-to-people relations.
The parliamentary restriction also applies specifically to the National Assembly and its legislative engagements; it is not a blanket prohibition on all Nigerian government contacts with South Africa.
However, lawmakers described the decision as a strong expression of concern about the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians legitimately living and conducting business in South Africa.
The National Assembly called on South African authorities to take concrete steps to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, investigate attacks and prosecute those responsible.
The suspension will remain in effect until further notice and may be reviewed depending on developments.
The latest move represents one of Nigeria’s strongest parliamentary responses yet to the continuing tensions surrounding the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa.
What do you think? Should Nigeria take even stronger measures to protect its citizens living abroad? Share your thoughts in the comments.