Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole has called on the Federal Government to appropriate the profits of South African companies operating in Nigeria and use the funds to compensate Nigerians whose businesses and properties were destroyed during recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The former Edo State governor made the proposal during Tuesday's Senate plenary, 7 July 2026, while reacting to remarks by South Africa's Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who had ruled out government compensation for affected Nigerians.
Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, described the attacks and destruction of Nigerian-owned businesses as unjustifiable, irrespective of whether the affected businesses were formally registered. He argued that Nigeria should not bear the financial burden of compensating victims while South African businesses continue to operate and repatriate profits without consequence.
"Following comments by the South African minister to the effect that compensation will not be paid to those Nigerians whose properties were looted, shops bombed and lives even lost, the government of Nigeria should reciprocate by appropriating the profit accrued from South African companies, including their banks, IBTC and use the money to pay Nigerians," Oshiomhole said during the plenary.
The senator noted that the deadline given to Nigerians to leave South Africa had been fixed by a mob, yet the South African government had gone along with it. "We cannot allow a situation where our people take taxpayers' money to pay compensation while South African investment and profit is being taken away untouched," he said. He insisted that the proposal did not require further investigation because the facts were self-evident.
The call came after South Africa's Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, dismissed Nigeria's request for compensation for citizens who abandoned businesses and properties while fleeing renewed xenophobic violence. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, 3 July 2026, Ntshavheni said the South African government would not pay compensation. She argued that legally registered properties could be sold through South Africa's property market, while informal settlements were illegal and unrecognised. She also asked Nigeria to provide information on locations allegedly used for drug-related activities.
However, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, cautioned lawmakers against relying strictly on unverified social media clips and urged diplomatic patience. Jibrin noted that the South African minister had stated that people occupying land illegally would not be compensated, while those with legal property titles would retain ownership. He appealed to Oshiomhole to allow the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to complete its investigation before further action is considered.
The debate 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," sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong. The motion followed a new wave of anti-foreigner violence that erupted after a 30 June 2026 deadline issued by South African vigilante groups ordering foreign nationals to exit the country expired. Ekpenyong noted that the intimidation had expanded beyond undocumented individuals to target law-abiding Nigerians holding valid work and residency permits.
South African firms, including MTN and several banks, have significant commercial interests in Nigeria, making the country one of their largest markets on the continent. The Federal Government has been evacuating Nigerians from South Africa, with President Bola Tinubu extending the evacuation programme beyond the 30 June deadline. More than 850 Nigerians have been evacuated across multiple flights.
The Senate ultimately rejected calls for the nationalisation of South African companies, including MTN and DStv, as a reprisal for the xenophobic violence. While condemning the hostility, the upper chamber demanded that the Federal Government intensify diplomatic measures to protect its citizens living in South Africa.
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