Nigeria’s Parliament Suspends Official Engagements With South Africa

Parliament Takes Tough Position Over Attacks on Nigerians

Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended official parliamentary visits and legislative engagements with South Africa because of continuing anti-migrant violence affecting Nigerians and other Africans.

The decision follows growing concerns over the safety of Nigerians living and doing business in South Africa.

Reuters reports that 98 Nigerians have reportedly died in mob, hate-related and extrajudicial attacks in South Africa since 2022. Nigeria has also voluntarily evacuated 1,695 Nigerians from South Africa in 2026.

The parliamentary action does not amount to a complete diplomatic break between the two countries. Government-to-government relations continue.

The issue has nevertheless added pressure to an already sensitive relationship between two of Africa’s biggest economies.

Monafrika’s Take

Nigeria and South Africa should be partners, not rivals.

Both countries have large populations, strong businesses and major influence across Africa.

But economic cooperation cannot come at the expense of the safety of ordinary people.

African integration must mean that Africans can live, work and do business across the continent without becoming targets because of their nationality.