Fresh diplomatic tensions are brewing between Nigeria and South Africa as two prominent Nigerian senators, Adams Oshiomhole and Abdul Ahmed Ningi, have demanded decisive and far-reaching sanctions against Pretoria following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa.
The calls came during an intense debate in the Nigerian Senate over the worsening security situation facing Nigerians in South Africa, where reports of killings, intimidation, displacement and destruction of businesses have once again reignited public anger in Nigeria.
Oshiomhole: Target South Africa’s Economy
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North and former governor of Edo State, argued that Nigeria has been too lenient in its response to repeated attacks on its citizens.
According to him, it is unacceptable for South African companies to continue making enormous profits in Nigeria while Nigerians living in South Africa are subjected to violence and discrimination.
Oshiomhole proposed that Nigeria should seize or nationalise South African investments operating in the country, including major companies such as telecommunications giant MTN and pay television company MultiChoice, owners of DStv.
He suggested that profits from these businesses could be redirected towards compensating Nigerian victims of xenophobic attacks and supporting affected families.
The senator maintained that the lives of Nigerians are more important than foreign investments, insisting that economic pressure remains one of the few tools capable of compelling the South African government to take meaningful action against xenophobic violence.
“We can’t allow our people to suffer while South African investments continue to thrive in Nigeria,” Oshiomhole argued, stressing that repeated diplomatic engagements have failed to stop the attacks.
For Oshiomhole, the issue has become one of national dignity and self-respect. He believes Nigeria’s continued tolerance of the attacks sends a dangerous message that the lives and businesses of Nigerians abroad can be violated without consequences.
Ningi: Cut Ties, Enough Is Enough
Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, took an even tougher position.
The veteran lawmaker called on President Bola Tinubu to begin the process of severing diplomatic relations with South Africa should the attacks continue.
Ningi questioned Nigeria’s repeated policy of condemnation without concrete action, arguing that the federal government cannot continue to watch Nigerians being killed and displaced while merely issuing diplomatic statements.
“We can’t keep condemning and not doing anything. Enough is enough. Silence is no longer golden,” Ningi declared during the Senate debate.
The senator noted that hundreds of Nigerians were already seeking evacuation from South Africa because of fears for their safety and argued that Nigeria’s foreign policy should be fundamentally reassessed to place greater emphasis on protecting its citizens.
According to him, a nation that cannot defend its citizens abroad risks diminishing its standing and credibility in the international community.
Growing Fury Over Recurring Xenophobic Violence
The renewed calls for sanctions come against the backdrop of a long history of xenophobic violence in South Africa. Nigerians have repeatedly been among the victims of attacks linked to anti-immigrant sentiments, with incidents recorded in 2009, 2015, 2019 and now again in 2026.
Many Nigerian lawmakers have argued that the situation is particularly painful given Nigeria’s historical support for South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle.
Nigeria provided diplomatic, financial and moral support to the liberation movement and played a significant role in the campaign for the release of the late President Nelson Mandela.
Senate Chooses Caution for Now
Despite the emotional and fiery debate, the Senate eventually stopped short of endorsing immediate economic sanctions or a diplomatic rupture with South Africa.
Instead, lawmakers directed the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to investigate the latest attacks and submit recommendations within two weeks to guide the Federal Government on possible next steps.
Nevertheless, the positions taken by Senators Oshiomhole and Ningi underscore a growing sentiment within Nigeria’s political establishment that the era of diplomatic caution may be nearing its limits and that stronger retaliatory measures against South Africa could soon become unavoidable if the attacks on Nigerians continue.
