The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday voted down a proposal to nationalise South African companies operating in Nigeria, including telecommunications giant MTN and pay-TV service DStv, and use the proceeds to compensate Nigerians who suffered losses during xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The decision was reached through a voice vote during plenary while debating a motion sponsored by Cross River South Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, which condemned the continued attacks and killings of Nigerians in South Africa.
Proposal for Nationalisation
During the debate, Lagos Central Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), urged the Senate to consider nationalising South African companies. He lamented the ongoing killings of Nigerians and destruction of their properties in South Africa. Edo North Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State, supported the proposal, arguing that lawmakers should adopt measures that would affect South Africa's economy rather than merely expressing grief. He recalled that the Senate had earlier resolved to send a delegation to South Africa but noted that nothing had been done since that resolution. Bauchi Central Senator Abdul Ningi also backed the proposal, calling for stronger diplomatic measures instead of continued engagement.
Deputy Senate President's Intervention
However, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, rejected the proposal. He argued that the circumstances surrounding the attacks should first be properly investigated before Nigeria takes any action. Mr Jibrin, an APC senator representing Kano North Senatorial District, acknowledged that many Nigerians had lost their lives and properties but maintained that Nigeria must act cautiously. "Killing people in the name of protest is not something that should be accepted. It is unacceptable, we cannot allow that but then we need to be careful, particularly because we live in Africa, we set the pace. Whatever we want to do, we need to be very careful," he said.
Mr Jibrin also addressed reports that the South African government had refused to compensate victims, cautioning against basing decisions on social media posts. "What Senator Adams Oshiomhole said, sometimes, we don't take things that are said on social media to analyse the situation. I saw what he is talking about. What the minister was saying was that those who live in illegal settlements will not be paid anything because they illegally occupied those areas. But those who have titles, nobody will take those titles away from them, nobody will take their properties from them even if they have been displaced," he explained. He urged the South African government to be bold in addressing threats and called on its president to speak openly. He subsequently urged the three senators to withdraw their proposals and instead allow the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to investigate the attacks and report back in two weeks.
Previous Efforts and Recent Violence
This is not the first time lawmakers have debated attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. There have been previous calls to revoke the operating licences of MTN Group, DStv, and other South African companies doing business in Nigeria. On 5 May, the Senate resolved to send a delegation to South Africa as part of diplomatic efforts to find a lasting solution. The delegation was to comprise members of both chambers of the National Assembly and be led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, tasked with engaging the South African government and parliament. However, it is unclear whether the delegation actually visited, as there are no public records of such a visit.
In recent weeks, violent protests have erupted in parts of South Africa, targeting African migrants, including Nigerians. Videos circulating on social media show mobs attacking foreigners, with several Nigerians reportedly killed. There are also allegations that security officials failed to intervene in some attacks. Two Nigerians were reportedly killed in April by personnel of the South African National Defence Force in Port Elizabeth. One victim, Ekpenyong Andrew, was arrested and later found dead in Pretoria, while another, Amaramiro Emmanuel, died from injuries allegedly sustained during an attack by security personnel. The Nigerian government has repatriated several citizens from South Africa due to the violence.
The Motion's Proposals
Presenting the motion, Senator Ekpenyong condemned the attacks and urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain written assurances from the South African government on the safety and protection of Nigerians living in the country. He also called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for violence, intimidation, looting, and unlawful immigration enforcement. The senator further urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa to strengthen emergency consular support and establish a verified register of Nigerians who have suffered death, injury, displacement, unlawful detention, or loss of businesses and property to facilitate legal redress, restitution, and compensation. He also called on the federal government to work with other affected African countries and relevant organs of the African Union to establish an effective early warning and accountability mechanism to prevent xenophobic violence and protect African migrants.
