Senator Adams Oshiomhole has urged the Federal Government to take a tougher stance against South African businesses operating in Nigeria, proposing that profits generated by those companies be redirected to compensate Nigerians who suffered losses during recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The former Edo State governor made the remarks during Tuesday’s plenary session in the Senate, arguing that Nigeria should respond firmly after South Africa indicated it would not compensate many of the affected victims.
Senate Reacts to South African Government’s Position
The debate followed comments made by South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who maintained that compensation would only be available for legally registered properties damaged during the attacks.
According to the minister, businesses operating within informal settlements would not qualify for government compensation because they did not meet the country’s legal registration requirements.
She also referred to allegations linking some Nigerians in South Africa to drug-related crimes while explaining her government’s position on the issue.
Oshiomhole Rejects Compensation Criteria
Oshiomhole strongly disagreed with the South African government’s explanation, insisting that the destruction of Nigerian-owned businesses and the loss of lives could not be justified based on whether the affected properties were formally registered.
He argued that victims deserved compensation regardless of where their businesses were located or the legal status of their properties.
According to the senator, Nigeria should respond by appropriating profits earned by South African companies operating within its borders and channeling those funds to Nigerians whose businesses were looted, whose shops were destroyed, and whose relatives lost their lives during the violence.
Calls for Reciprocal Action
The lawmaker further argued that Nigeria should not bear the financial burden of compensating victims while South African companies continue to generate substantial profits from the Nigerian market without consequences.
He also criticized South Africa’s handling of the attacks, claiming that authorities effectively allowed a mob-imposed deadline for Nigerians to leave the country to stand without sufficient intervention.
Oshiomhole maintained that the circumstances surrounding the attacks were already well known and did not require additional investigations before action could be taken.
South African Companies Have Major Investments in Nigeria
The senator’s proposal comes against the backdrop of extensive South African investments across Nigeria.
Companies such as telecommunications giant MTN and several South African-owned financial institutions have established significant operations in the country, with Nigeria representing one of their largest and most profitable markets on the African continent.
His comments are likely to reignite debate over how Nigeria should respond diplomatically and economically to repeated incidents of xenophobic violence targeting its citizens in South Africa.
