Godswill Akpabio, president of the Senate, says Nigeria will not adopt economic retaliation against South Africa despite repeated xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.
Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, Akpabio said diplomatic engagement remains the best approach to resolving the issue.
He said economic sanctions against South African businesses operating in Nigeria would not be the preferred option.
“Diplomatic engagement would be the best option,” he said.
“Economic retaliation against businesses would not be the preferred course of action.”
Akpabio’s remarks followed a proposal by Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo North, who suggested sanctions against South African companies such as MTN Group and MultiChoice, owners of DStv.
The proposal was, however, ruled out on procedural grounds.
Despite rejecting economic retaliation, the Senate resolved to take diplomatic steps over the attacks.
Lawmakers agreed to constitute a joint ad hoc committee with the House of Representatives to address the matter.
The committee is expected to undertake a fact-finding and diplomatic visit to South Africa, engage the South African parliament and formally communicate Nigeria’s concerns.
The Senate also resolved to invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs for a briefing and review of bilateral agreements reached between both countries in 2019.
During the debate, some senators raised concerns over the killings, harassment and psychological trauma allegedly faced by Nigerians living in South Africa.
They said many Nigerians are targeted because of their nationality.
