The House of Representatives has begun a fresh legislative push to strengthen Nigeria’s response to recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa, directing that the losses suffered by affected Nigerians be comprehensively documented as part of efforts to pursue compensation and improve future protection for citizens abroad.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Babajimi Benson, during Tuesday’s plenary presided over by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
Rather than limiting its intervention to expressions of concern, the House mandated its Committees on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs to compile a detailed record of casualties, economic losses, and properties abandoned by Nigerians during the attacks. The committees are also expected to recommend diplomatic and legal measures that could strengthen the protection of Nigerians living in South Africa.
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The latest action comes amidst renewed concern over the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa, following recent xenophobic violence that forced many citizens to flee their homes and businesses. The Federal Government had only recently concluded the evacuation of more than 1,400 stranded Nigerians from the country after the attacks escalated.
Lawmakers argued that an official assessment of the damage suffered by victims was necessary to support those affected and provide a factual basis for future engagements between Nigeria and South Africa.
The House further urged the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic efforts with South African authorities, pursue legal options where necessary and deepen bilateral cooperation aimed at preventing future attacks on Nigerians.
Although the motion did not specify the amount of compensation being sought, it reflected growing pressure on the Federal Government to move beyond emergency evacuations by pursuing accountability for the losses suffered by citizens.
The decision also signals a shift from immediate humanitarian intervention to long-term documentation of the economic and human impact of the attacks, an area many victims and advocacy groups have argued has received insufficient attention in previous episodes of xenophobic violence.
Tuesday’s sitting also featured deliberations on other national issues. The House considered a motion seeking a comprehensive audit of all seized, forfeited and recovered assets dating back to May 29, 1999.
The proposal, sponsored by Ibe Osonwa, who represents Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia State, called for the creation of a national digital registry of recovered assets and the establishment of an ad hoc committee to improve transparency, accountability and legislative oversight in the management of such assets.
Lawmakers also received the report of the Constitution Review Committee on the proposed establishment of state police. Reports relating to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund budgets were equally presented, while several bills advanced through different stages of legislative consideration.
Outside the plenary, the House Ad Hoc Committee investigating the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) criticised some Ministries, Departments and Agencies for failing to honour its invitations.
Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, warned that invited officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Security Adviser, must personally appear before the panel to explain issues surrounding the council’s operations or risk further legislative action.
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