Nigerian members of Parliament are set to visit South Africa to address rising xenophobic attacks against Nigerian nationals, the Senate announced on Tuesday, May 5.
The legislature said it will constitute a joint ad hoc committee comprising members of the Senate and the National Assembly to undertake fact-finding and facilitate dispute resolution. The delegation is also expected to formally convey Nigeria’s displeasure over the recurring attacks.
A proposal by Senator Adams Oshiomhole to revoke the operating licences of South African firms such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group was rejected on procedural grounds.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio stressed that the matter should be resolved through diplomatic channels rather than economic retaliation, following concerns raised by Senator Aniekan Bassey.
Nigerian lawmakers said their citizens in South Africa continue to face fear, psychological trauma and indignity amid persistent attacks.
Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for restraint, reminding citizens during Freedom Day on 27 April of the support received from other African nations during the anti-apartheid struggle.
Although the exact number of Nigerian victims remains unclear, reports suggest dozens have been affected in recent years, with xenophobic tensions linked to high unemployment levels exceeding 30 per cent.