Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended official visits to South Africa and ordered lawmakers to boycott legislative activities hosted by South African institutions, citing continued attacks against Nigerians and other African migrants in the country.
The decision, announced on Friday, September 11, 2026, followed growing concerns over the safety and welfare of Nigerians living and doing business in South Africa.
According to Reuters, the parliamentary directive will remain in place until further notice. However, it does not extend to official visits and meetings involving the Nigerian government.
The National Assembly said it was particularly concerned about reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, investments and homes because of recurring anti-migrant attacks.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs has previously said that 98 Nigerians have died in mob and hate-related incidents in South Africa since 2022. The acting Nigerian High Commissioner in Pretoria also reported that 1,695 Nigerians had been voluntarily evacuated from South Africa in 2026 amid the escalating tensions.
The latest move adds pressure to already strained relations between Nigeria and South Africa. The two countries have historically maintained strong economic and diplomatic ties, but recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians have remained a major source of tension.
South Africa’s Foreign Minister, Ronald Lamola, visited Abuja in July for discussions with Nigerian officials and reaffirmed his government’s opposition to xenophobia. However, the latest parliamentary action shows that concerns over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa remain unresolved.
The National Assembly’s decision is expected to keep the issue of xenophobia and the protection of Nigerians abroad high on Nigeria’s diplomatic agenda.
