Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has called on the Federal Government to take strong economic measures against South African businesses operating in Nigeria following renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
The former Governor of Edo State specifically advocated for the revocation of operating licences of MTN Nigeria and DStv, while urging Nigerian investors to fill the resulting gap.
Raising the issue during plenary on Tuesday, Oshiomhole argued that Nigeria must move beyond diplomatic protests and adopt a policy rooted in reciprocity.
“I don’t want this Senate to be shedding tears, to sympathise with those who have died. We didn’t come here to share tears. If you hit me, I’ll hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It’s an economic struggle,” he said.
The lawmaker further stated that the Senate should adopt a position on MTN, a South African company that he claimed is taking away millions of dollars from Nigeria daily, calling for its nationalisation and licence withdrawal.
He also urged the Federal Government to revoke DStv’s licence, describing it as another South African company cutting away millions of dollars from the country.
Oshiomhole argued that Nigerians living in South Africa are economically productive and not dependent on the host country.
“These Nigerians who are in South Africa, they are not there on holiday. They are there to work and to earn. When we hit back, the president of South Africa will go on his knees to recognise that Nigerians cannot be intimidated,” he said.
He warned that continued tolerance in the face of repeated violence against Nigerians abroad sends the wrong signal, adding that decisive economic retaliation would demonstrate Nigeria’s capacity to defend its citizens and interests.
Oshiomhole linked the resurgence of xenophobic violence to domestic political tensions in South Africa, noting that anti-immigrant rhetoric has increasingly shaped public attitudes toward foreigners, including Nigerians.
The intervention came as the House of Representatives condemned the latest attacks, warning that the safety of Nigerians abroad must not be compromised. Lawmakers urged the Federal Government to step up diplomatic engagement and implement protective measures.
Also contributing, Senator Victor Umeh described the situation as dire, saying many Nigerians in South Africa now live in constant fear and are unable to move freely. He called on the African Union to intervene, including the possibility of sanctions if the attacks persist, stressing that the pattern of violence should no longer be treated as isolated incidents.
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