NIGERIA SUSPENDS OFFICIAL PARLIAMENTARY VISITS TO SOUTH AFRICA OVER XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS
By ZR Reporter
Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and announced a boycott of legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities until further notice.
The decision was announced in a statement issued on Friday, September 11, 2026, by the spokesperson for Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi.
According to the statement, the move follows continued reports of xenophobic attacks and hostility targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
Rotimi said the decision followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives over reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other property amid recurring violence.
The Nigerian Senate has directed that the suspension apply to both physical and virtual engagements involving South African legislative authorities.
This includes conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, parliamentary exchanges and other engagements hosted or organised by the Parliament of South Africa or other South African legislative bodies.
The Nigerian lawmakers said the decision reflects growing concern over the safety and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting business in South Africa.
The development is likely to place further diplomatic pressure on South Africa to address concerns surrounding xenophobia and the treatment of foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians.
Nigeria and South Africa maintain significant economic, political and diplomatic ties, making the parliamentary boycott a notable escalation in the ongoing concerns over relations between citizens of the two countries.
The suspension will remain in place until further notice.
– Zambia Reports | September 11, 2026