Nigeria Bans Official Travel to South Africa, Orders Total Boycott of Legislative Events

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s federal legislature has ordered a total boycott of South Africa and immediate suspension of all official visits to the country as it relates to legislative activities until further notice.

The directive, issued in a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, demands strict compliance from all senators, house members, committees, and parliamentary staff.

Comprehensive Blackout on All Engagements

The sweeping resolution shuts down all diplomatic and legislative channels with South African counterparts.

The National Assembly confirmed the boycott covers official travel, including all scheduled deployments and visits by lawmakers and parliamentary directorates.

It also covers events and exchanges. Under the policy, participation is banned for all conferences, seminars, workshops, and legislative exchanges.

The restriction explicitly extends to digital platforms, blocking lawmakers from attending South African-hosted programmes online.

The leadership has also urged the heads of all State Houses of Assembly across Nigeria to adopt similar boycotts.

Defiance Over Ongoing Xenophobic Violence

The drastic measures follow a surge of reported xenophobic attacks, violence, and property destruction targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.

According to the National Assembly, the Federal Government of Nigeria has made repeated appeals to South African authorities to secure foreign nationals and prosecute perpetrators. However, the targeted killing, displacement, and looting of Nigerian businesses have continued unchecked.

While the National Assembly noted that it does not wish to permanently damage the historical diplomatic ties between the two nations, it emphasized that the safety, dignity, and welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad remain non-negotiable.

The statement adds that the National Assembly is currently working alongside the Federal Government to facilitate the evacuation of affected citizens. It says that the travel ban and boycott will remain in force indefinitely and will only be reviewed once South Africa takes concrete, verifiable steps to investigate the violence and legally prosecute the perpetrators.