RismadarVoice Reporters, May 12, 2026
Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has defended his call for the nationalisation of South African-owned businesses operating in Nigeria, insisting that the safety and dignity of Nigerians must take priority over foreign investment concerns.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Tuesday, Oshiomhole said Nigeria should consider stronger economic measures against South African interests following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
The former Edo State governor specifically mentioned telecommunications giant MTN and other South African-linked businesses, arguing that Nigeria should restructure ownership in a way that allows local investors to take control.
According to him, profits currently repatriated abroad should remain within Nigeria if companies are eventually reprivatised under local ownership arrangements.
Oshiomhole maintained that economic considerations should never outweigh the value of Nigerian lives, particularly amid repeated incidents of violence against Nigerians living in South Africa.
“If anything leads to the death of Nigerians, what is the value of wealth?” he asked during the interview, stressing that no foreign investment should come at the expense of human lives.
He also criticised what he described as a lack of accountability for previous attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, claiming that repeated incidents have occurred without adequate punishment for perpetrators.
The senator further argued that Nigeria has continued to suffer losses while diplomatic assurances from South African authorities have failed to permanently stop the violence.
Recent protests and attacks targeting foreign nationals have been reported in parts of Durban, Cape Town, East London and KwaZulu-Natal, reigniting concerns over xenophobic violence in South Africa.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the attacks, describing those responsible as opportunists exploiting social and economic frustrations.
Meanwhile, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has advised Nigerians residing in South Africa to remain vigilant and avoid confrontation while diplomatic engagements continue between both countries.
