May 5, 2026 | SUNTV Global
Nigeria’s National Assembly is set to take diplomatic action over renewed xenophobic attacks against its citizens in , with Senate President announcing plans to deploy a joint parliamentary delegation.
The move, which will involve both the Senate and the House of Representatives, aims to engage directly with South African lawmakers and authorities over growing concerns about the safety of Nigerians living in the country.
Speaking during a session, Akpabio strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as “barbaric, cruel, and unacceptable.” He criticized what he sees as a lack of decisive response from the government of , stressing that Nigeria cannot remain silent while its citizens are being targeted abroad.
“We will constitute a joint team with the House of Representatives to visit South Africa and engage their parliament directly,” Akpabio said. “The protection of Nigerian lives and property, whether at home or abroad, remains our top priority.”
The Senate President expressed frustration over repeated incidents of violence, stating that the continued attacks reflect a troubling pattern that demands urgent diplomatic intervention.
The development comes amid rising tension following reports of fresh xenophobic incidents in parts of South Africa, sparking outrage across Nigeria. The (NANS) has also issued a stern warning to South African authorities, threatening protests and economic backlash if the situation persists.
In a letter addressed to the South African High Commission in Abuja, NANS condemned what it described as “systematic victimisation” of Nigerians. The student body recalled Nigeria’s historic role in supporting South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle, describing the current hostility as a betrayal of shared African solidarity.
“We stood by South Africa in its darkest days,” the statement read. “It is deeply painful to witness Nigerians now being subjected to violence in return.”
NANS warned that continued inaction could trigger nationwide student protests and targeted economic disruptions against South African businesses operating in Nigeria.
As diplomatic pressure mounts, attention is now on how the South African government will respond to both Nigeria’s planned parliamentary visit and growing calls for concrete action to end the attacks.
