The Senate on Tuesday, July 7, rejected calls to nationalise South African companies operating in Nigeria, including MTN and DStv, as retaliation for a fresh wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians.
While dismissing economic reprisals, the upper chamber strongly condemned the violence and urged the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic efforts to protect Nigerians living in South Africa.
The resolutions followed a motion titled _“Motion on the 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.
The debate was sparked by renewed anti-foreigner violence that erupted after a June 30, 2026 ultimatum by South African vigilante groups ordering foreign nationals to leave the country expired.
Ekpenyong said the intimidation had gone beyond undocumented migrants to target law-abiding Nigerians with valid work and residency permits, arguing that the attacks were driven by xenophobia rather than immigration enforcement.
During the debate, Senator Eshilokun Wasiu proposed the nationalisation of South African business assets in Nigeria.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole went further, proposing an amendment to seize profits made by South African firms and use them to compensate victims if the South African government failed to pay damages.
“I was alarmed by comments attributed to a South African minister suggesting that compensation would not be paid to Nigerians whose properties were looted, shops burnt, businesses destroyed, and lives lost,” Oshiomhole said.
“If the South African government refuses to compensate affected Nigerians, the Federal Government should consider appropriating the profits of South African companies operating here, including their banks, and use those funds to compensate victims.
We cannot allow Nigerians to suffer such losses and then use Nigerian taxpayers’ money to compensate them while South African businesses continue to make profits here.”
Presiding over plenary, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, cautioned against acting on unverified social media reports and called for diplomatic patience.
“Nobody in this chamber is happy with what is happening in South Africa. The actions of violent groups attacking innocent people are completely unacceptable,” Jibrin said.
“However, we must exercise caution. We should not rely solely on statements circulating on social media without proper verification.
“I watched the interview being referred to. The South African minister explained that people occupying illegal settlements without legal title would not receive compensation, but those with valid property titles would retain their rights.
That explanation, however, does not excuse the failure to prevent innocent people from being displaced.”
Jibrin appealed to lawmakers to allow the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by a former governor, to complete its investigation before further action.
Oshiomhole objected, saying the Senate could not keep delaying while Nigerians remained at risk.
“Mr President, with profound respect, this matter was extensively debated about a month ago. We resolved that the Committee on Foreign Affairs should investigate and even suggested sending a delegation to South Africa. We should not continue to exercise caution until more Nigerians are killed,” he said.
In response, Jibrin shortened the timeline, directing the committee to submit its findings within two weeks.
