Nigeria suspends official visits to South Africa over anti-migrant violence

September 11, 2026 at 08:12 PM2 min

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Nigeria's parliament has suspended all official visits to South Africa, including virtual engagements, in protest over continued violence against immigrants there. The suspension follows months of anti-foreigner protests across South Africa that have driven tens of thousands of people to leave the country. The ban comes even as Nigeria's foreign ministry says at least 98 Nigerians have been killed since 2022 in mob attacks, hate-related violence and extrajudicial killings.

Key Facts

Nigeria's parliament suspended all official visits to South Africa, including virtual engagements, on Friday.
At least 98 Nigerians have been killed since 2022 in mob attacks, hate-related violence and extrajudicial killings, according to Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
Two Nigerians were killed in June during anti-migrant violence in South Africa, two days before a June 30 deadline set by protesters for foreigners to leave.
Tens of thousands of people have left South Africa after months of anti-foreigner protests.

Parliamentary Suspension

Akin Rotimi, spokesman for Nigeria's lower chamber, announced the suspension in a statement on Friday. The ban covers all official visits by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff. Kamoru Ogunlana, clerk to Nigeria's national assembly, said parliament was particularly concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses and properties.

Anti-Migrant Violence

In an attack last week in Durban, marchers descended on an encampment of Congolese nationals, causing violent clashes. Protesters have gone door-to-door, dragging people out of their homes and delivering them to waiting police vans. Even people with legal documents have been caught up in the violence.

Diplomatic Tensions

Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, hosted South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola in Abuja in July to discuss the recurring attacks. At that meeting, Enikanolaiye said at least 98 Nigerians had been killed since 2022. Tensions soared across South Africa after protesters set a June 30 deadline for undocumented immigrants to leave.