By George Omagbemi
The National Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights, safety and dignity of Nigerians living and working abroad, amid continuing concerns over xenophobic attacks and the treatment of Nigerian nationals in South Africa.
Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Rep. Joshua Gana, stated this on Monday at a conference on the “Effect of Migration on African Citizens”, organised by the African Diaspora Union (AFRIDU) in Abuja.
Gana, who represents Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Federal Constituency of Niger State, said Nigerian lawmakers had a responsibility to defend citizens whose rights and interests were threatened outside the country.
He said the National Assembly’s recent decision to suspend official legislative engagements with South Africa was part of efforts to protect Nigerians and strengthen Nigeria’s position in diplomatic discussions.
The lawmaker stressed that Nigerian representatives must put the interests of citizens first, particularly when they face discrimination, violence or threats to their livelihoods.
The position comes less than a month after the National Assembly announced the suspension of official visits to South Africa and a boycott of South African-hosted legislative conferences, seminars and other parliamentary engagements.
The decision followed concerns over recurring reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon businesses, homes and investments during xenophobic attacks. The National Assembly said the measure was not intended to sever Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic and people-to-people relationship with South Africa, but to express concern over the safety and welfare of Nigerians in the country.
The lawmakers also called on the South African government to take concrete steps to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, investigate reported attacks and ensure that anyone found responsible is prosecuted.
The latest parliamentary position comes against a wider push by the Federal Government to strengthen citizen diplomacy and make Nigerian missions more responsive to Nigerians living abroad.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently reaffirmed that the welfare and protection of Nigerians in the diaspora remain central to its foreign-policy approach, urging Nigerian missions to remain accessible and responsive to legitimate consular concerns.
For Nigerians in South Africa, the challenge now extends beyond statements of concern.
The effectiveness of Nigeria’s response will increasingly be measured by the ability of its diplomatic and legislative institutions to secure meaningful protection, prompt investigation of attacks and effective assistance for citizens whose lives, businesses and livelihoods are affected.
The National Assembly says it will continue monitoring developments concerning Nigerians in South Africa, while its suspension of legislative engagements with South African authorities remains in force until further notice.
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