Nigerian Senate rejects nationalizing SA firms over xenophobia compensation

The Nigerian Senate has rejected calls to nationalize South African companies operating in Nigeria, such as MTN and DStv, as a means to compensate Nigerians who have suffered losses during xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The decision came after a majority of senators voted against the proposal during a plenary session.

The motion, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, sparked a robust debate among lawmakers. Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had urged the Senate to consider nationalizing the firms, lamenting the continued killings and property destruction of Nigerians in South Africa. He was supported by former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who argued for measures that would impact South Africa's economy, noting that previous resolutions to send a delegation had yielded no results.

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Killing people in the name of protest is not something that should be accepted. It is unacceptable, we cannot allow that but then we need to be careful, particularly because we live in Africa, we set the pace. Whatever we want to do, we need to be very careful.

However, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, cautioned against hasty actions. He stressed the importance of thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding the attacks before Nigeria takes any retaliatory steps. "We cannot allow that but then we need to be careful, particularly because we live in Africa, we set the pace. Whatever we want to do, we need to be very careful," Jibrin stated.

Jibrin also addressed reports of the South African government refusing compensation, advising against making decisions based solely on social media. He clarified that while those in illegal settlements might not receive compensation, individuals with legal titles to their properties would not be dispossessed, even if displaced. The Senate's decision reflects a desire for a measured diplomatic approach, prioritizing investigation and careful consideration over immediate economic sanctions.

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What Senator Adams Oshiomhole said, sometimes, we don’t take things that are said on social media to analyse the situation. I saw what he is talking about. What the minister was saying was that those who live in illegal settlements will not be paid anything because they illegally occupied those areas. But those who have titles, nobody will take those titles away from them, nobody will take their properties from them even if they have been displaced.