May 12, 2026 | Politics | SUNTV Global Channel
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, , has intensified his call for the Nigerian government to nationalise South African-owned companies operating in Nigeria, including and , following repeated xenophobic attacks and killings of Nigerians in .
Speaking during an interview on on Tuesday morning, Oshiomhole argued that Nigeria must take decisive economic action against South African interests in response to what he described as continuous attacks on Nigerians living in the country.
The former labour leader stated that while Nigerian shareholders in MTN and DSTV could retain their investments, the Nigerian government should seize South African ownership stakes and transfer them to Nigerians through a reprivatisation process.
According to him, profits currently being repatriated to South Africa should instead remain within the Nigerian economy.
“Nigerian shareholders can hold on, but we take away the South African rights,” Oshiomhole said.
“You nationalise and then reprivatise so Nigerians can take over. The profits being taken out of Nigeria will remain here.”
The senator also mentioned other South African-linked businesses, including RBCTH, insisting that economic retaliation was necessary to force South African authorities to act against xenophobic violence.
Oshiomhole further accused South African President of remaining silent on attacks against Nigerians until his economic interests were threatened.
He claimed that after his comments on the floor of the Nigerian Senate, Ramaphosa publicly condemned the attacks.
“When you touch his economic interest in Nigeria, he will speak,” Oshiomhole declared.
The senator dismissed concerns that his remarks could discourage foreign investors from Nigeria, insisting that the protection of Nigerian lives must come before economic interests.
“What is the value of wealth to the dead?” he questioned.
“Life is more important than foreign investment.”
Oshiomhole also criticised what he described as “excessive free-market policies,” arguing that some foreign investors benefit from Nigeria while remaining indifferent to the safety of Nigerians abroad.
He lamented that repeated attacks on Nigerians in South Africa had allegedly gone unpunished despite previous diplomatic agreements reached during the administration of former President .
The lawmaker maintained that Nigeria must prioritise the dignity and protection of its citizens over economic considerations.
“We don’t want investors who invest at the expense of human blood,” he said.
“Even in poverty, I value human life more than money.”
The renewed remarks by Oshiomhole are expected to spark fresh debate over Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with South Africa, foreign investment policies, and the persistent issue of xenophobic violence targeting Africans in the country.
— SUNTV Global Channel
