The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and ordered a boycott of South African-hosted or organised legislative activities until further notice, following renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals.

The decision, reached by the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives, covers official trips by lawmakers, committees, officials and staff. It also applies to conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other engagements organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities, including virtual participation.

The decision was contained in a statement issued by the House of Representatives spokesman, Akin Rotimi, on Friday.

“The Leadership of the National Assembly, led by H.E. Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, President of the Senate, and Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to communicate to all Distinguished Senators, Honourable Members, Committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff the decision of the National Assembly to suspend all official visits to the Republic of South Africa and boycott South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities and engagements until further notice,” the statement read.

The National Assembly expressed concern over reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon businesses, homes and other property during recurring attacks. The resolution followed earlier calls by Nigerian lawmakers for stronger diplomatic action after renewed violence in South Africa.

The leadership said the measure was not intended to undermine Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic and people-to-people relations with South Africa, but to draw attention to the safety and welfare of Nigerians living and doing business in the country. It called on South African authorities to take urgent measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, investigate reported attacks and prosecute those responsible.

The National Assembly said the suspension would remain in force until further notice and would be reviewed as circumstances warrant.