Summary: The Nigerian Senate has rejected calls to nationalise South African companies like MTN and DStv following renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. Find out why senators said no — and what they’re doing instead.
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The Nigerian Senate has put its foot down.
On Tuesday, July 7, our senators met the growing public anger over fresh xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa with a firm “no” — rejecting heated demands to nationalise South African-owned businesses operating on Nigerian soil, including telecoms giant MTN and pay-TV powerhouse DStv.
For many Nigerians who have watched their brothers and sisters suffer violence, humiliation, and loss of property in South Africa, the call to “deal with them where it hurts” made complete sense. If South Africans won’t protect Nigerians over there, why should Nigerian consumers and the government continue to line South African pockets over here? The sentiment is understandable — and deeply Nigerian.
But the Senate, it appears, had other ideas.
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Why Senators Said No
Rather than taking what many would consider a satisfying act of economic retaliation, the upper chamber of Nigeria’s National Assembly chose a more measured — some might say more diplomatic — path.
Lawmakers argued that seizing or nationalising private businesses over diplomatic tensions could set a dangerous precedent, potentially harming Nigeria’s own investment climate. After all, Nigeria is also actively courting foreign direct investment, and the same rules that would allow government to swoop in on MTN today could theoretically be turned against Nigerian businesses abroad tomorrow.
There’s also the small matter of the thousands of Nigerians — ordinary Nigerians — who are employed by these South African companies. MTN alone employs a significant number of Nigerian workers across its operations. A takeover could throw many families into uncertainty.
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The Xenophobia Problem Has Not Gone Away
Make no mistake — the trigger for this debate is very real and very painful.
Nigerians in South Africa have once again been subjected to brutal xenophobic attacks, with businesses looted, lives threatened, and the dignity of our people trampled upon. This is not a new story. For years, Nigerians and other African nationals have been targeted in periodic waves of violence by South African locals who blame foreign nationals for unemployment and crime — despite little evidence to support these claims.
Every time it happens, Nigerians back home boil with rage. Every time it happens, there are calls for action. And every time, the question returns: what is the Nigerian government actually doing to protect its citizens abroad?
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So What Is the Senate Actually Doing?
Rather than economic retaliation, the Senate is reportedly pushing for stronger diplomatic engagement with Pretoria, as well as measures to ensure the safety and evacuation of Nigerians at risk in South Africa.
Whether this softer approach will satisfy ordinary Nigerians — many of whom feel that diplomacy has been tried too many times without results — remains to be seen.
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Nigerians Are Not Impressed
On the streets of Lagos, Abuja, and in the comment sections of every major Nigerian platform, reactions have been swift and largely critical of the Senate’s decision.
“MTN dey collect our money every day, meanwhile our people dey die for South Africa,”* one Twitter user fumed. *”Senate should explain themselves.”
Others took a broader view, noting that economic sanctions — when properly deployed — have historically been powerful tools for forcing governments to change behaviour.
The debate is far from over.
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The Bottom Line
The Nigerian Senate has chosen diplomacy over economic muscle — at least for now. Whether that decision proves wise or simply timid is a conversation Nigerians will be having for a while.
One thing is clear: as long as xenophobic attacks continue to target Nigerians in South Africa, pressure on the Nigerian government to respond more forcefully will only grow louder.
Our people deserve protection. The question is — what form should that protection take?
What do you think? Should Nigeria have gone harder on South African businesses? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
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