The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters. Not a summary of everything — the one thing that makes someone stop scrolling. A reader who only reads this paragraph must understand what happened.

The Senate on Tuesday rejected calls for the Federal Government to nationalise South African-owned businesses, including MTN and DStv, in response to the ongoing xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. The Upper Chamber urged the FG to intensify diplomatic efforts to protect Nigerians and secure written assurances from the South African government on their safety.

The discussion was sparked by 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”. Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, APC, Cross River South, sponsored the motion following a fresh wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa after the expiration of a June 30 deadline for them to leave the country.

The Senate also called for the arrest and prosecution of all persons responsible for the violence, intimidation, looting, and unlawful immigration enforcement. Senator Adams Oshiomhole, APC, Edo North, urged the FG to consider appropriating the profits made by South African companies operating in Nigeria to compensate Nigerian victims of the attacks.

But, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, APC, Kano North, cautioned the Upper Chamber to exercise caution not to overreact. “Nobody in this chamber is happy with what is happening in South Africa. The actions of violent groups attacking innocent people are completely unacceptable. Killing people in the name of protests cannot and should not be tolerated,” he said.

The Senate also urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa to strengthen emergency consular arrangements and establish a verified register of Nigerians who have suffered death, injury, displacement, unlawful detention, or loss of businesses and property.

Senator Oshiomhole had moved an amendment to the motion, suggesting that the FG consider appropriating the profits made by South African companies operating in Nigeria to compensate Nigerian victims. But, his prayer was rejected by the Senate.

The Senate has also directed its committees on foreign affairs and diaspora and non-governmental organisations to review the implementation of its resolutions of 5 May 2026 and previous Nigeria–South Africa engagements and report back to the Senate within four weeks.

And, the Federal Government has been urged to engage other affected African countries and work through the African Union to establish an effective early warning, monitoring, and accountability mechanism for xenophobic attacks and related violence across the continent.

Key Facts:

  • The Senate rejected calls for the FG to nationalise MTN and DStv in response to xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
  • The Upper Chamber urged the FG to intensify diplomatic efforts to protect Nigerians and secure written assurances from the South African government on their safety.
  • Senator Adams Oshiomhole suggested that the FG consider appropriating the profits made by South African companies operating in Nigeria to compensate Nigerian victims.
  • The Senate directed its committees to review the implementation of its resolutions and report back to the Senate within four weeks.
  • The FG has been urged to work through the African Union to establish an effective early warning, monitoring, and accountability mechanism for xenophobic attacks and related violence.

Context: Xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa have been ongoing for months, with many Nigerians calling for the FG to take strong action against the South African government. The Senate's decision to reject calls for nationalisation is seen as a cautious approach, but many Nigerians are left wondering what concrete steps the FG will take to protect them.

“Nobody in this chamber is happy with what is happening in South Africa. The actions of violent groups attacking innocent people are completely unacceptable. Killing people in the name of protests cannot and should not be tolerated,” Senator Barau Jibrin said.