Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa in protest against recurring violence targeting immigrants, including Nigerian citizens.

Akin Rotimi, spokesperson for Nigeria’s House of Representatives, announced the decision in a statement on Friday, saying all official visits to South Africa by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff had been suspended.

The measure also covers virtual engagements with South African counterparts.

“The National Assembly cannot ignore persistent attacks on citizens abroad,” Rotimi said.

The decision follows months of anti-foreigner protests and attacks across South Africa, which have forced tens of thousands of migrants to leave the country and have heightened diplomatic tensions between Abuja and Pretoria.

Kamoru Ogunlana, clerk to Nigeria’s National Assembly, said lawmakers were particularly concerned about reports of Nigerians being killed, injured and displaced, as well as being forced to abandon businesses, investments, homes and other property during recurring attacks.

Nigeria has repeatedly called on South African authorities to do more to protect foreign nationals and hold perpetrators accountable.

In June, two Nigerians were killed amid anti-migrant violence in South Africa, just two days before an unofficial deadline imposed by protesters demanding that foreigners leave the country.

Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry said one of the victims was allegedly killed by police officers, while the other was killed by unidentified attackers.

At a meeting in Abuja in July, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, told South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola that at least 98 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa since 2022 in mob attacks, hate-related violence and extrajudicial killings.

Tensions escalated after protesters set June 30 as an unofficial deadline for undocumented immigrants to leave South Africa.

Last week, protesters in Durban clashed violently with Congolese nationals living at an encampment, according to reports.

In some incidents, protesters have reportedly gone door-to-door, removing migrants from their homes and handing them over to police waiting in vehicles.

The violence has also affected migrants who possess valid legal documentation.

South African police have reported that at least four migrants were killed in violence linked to the recent protests, although some foreign governments have put the death toll higher.

South Africa, one of Africa’s most industrialised economies, has long attracted migrants from across the continent, including both documented and undocumented workers.

However, the country faces high unemployment, crime and pressure on public services. Analysts say migrants are increasingly being blamed for economic and social problems rooted in broader structural and governance failures.

Nigeria has become one of the most vocal African countries in demanding greater protection for its citizens in South Africa.

The latest parliamentary decision adds pressure to already strained relations between two of Africa’s largest economies and most influential countries.

The scale of the migration crisis remains disputed.

According to the latest figures released by the South African government, nearly 90,000 people have either voluntarily returned to their countries or been deported since the latest migration tensions began.

Governments in migrants’ countries of origin, however, have put the number at approximately 178,000.

The conflicting figures highlight the uncertainty surrounding the scale of the exodus as South Africa continues to grapple with anti-migrant sentiment and Nigeria presses Pretoria to strengthen protections for Nigerian nationals.

Nigeria’s suspension of official visits will remain a significant diplomatic signal as both countries face growing pressure to address the recurring violence and prevent further attacks against foreign nationals. (ILKHA)