Nigerian Senate rejects calls to take over South African Businesses amid Xenophobic attacks
The Senate on Tuesday, July 7, turned down demands to nationalise South African companies operating in Nigeria, including MTN and DStv, as a reprisal for fresh xenophobic violence against Nigerians. While rejecting the call for economic retaliation, the upper chamber strongly condemned the hostility and demanded that the Federal Government intensify diplomatic measures to protect its citizens living in South Africa.
The legislative resolutions followed a motion titled “Motion on the Need to Halt the Recurring Xenophobic Attacks and Intimidation Against Nigerians and Other African Nationals in the Republic of South Africa,” sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong.
The debate was sparked by a new wave of anti-foreigner violence that erupted after a June 30, 2026 deadline issued by South African vigilante groups ordering foreign nationals to exit the country expired. Ekpenyong noted that the intimidation has expanded past undocumented individuals to target law-abiding Nigerians holding valid work and residency permits, proving that the operations are driven by xenophobia rather than simple immigration enforcement.
During the debate, Senator Eshilokun Wasiu proposed the nationalisation of South African business assets. Supporting a firm response, Senator Adams Oshiomhole suggested an amendment to seize the profits of South African firms to compensate victims if their host government refused to pay damages.
Oshiomhole said, “I was alarmed by comments attributed to a South African minister suggesting that compensation would not be paid to Nigerians whose properties were looted, shops burnt, businesses destroyed, and lives lost during the recent xenophobic attacks. If indeed the South African government refuses to compensate affected Nigerians, it is proposed that the federal government of Nigeria should consider appropriating the profits made by South African companies operating in Nigeria, including their banks and other businesses, and use those funds to compensate Nigerian victims.
The ultimatum reportedly given to Nigerians to leave by June 30 was enforced by mobs while the South African government appeared unable to protect innocent people. We cannot allow Nigerians to suffer such losses and then use Nigerian taxpayers’ money to compensate them while South African businesses continue to make profits here.
I therefore urge that the profits accruing to South African companies in Nigeria be appropriated and used to compensate Nigerians whose businesses were destroyed and whose loved ones were killed.”