ABUJA — Senator Adams Oshiomhole has called on the federal government to seize control of MTN Nigeria and revoke the operating licenses of South African-owned businesses, including MultiChoice (DStv), in a massive escalation of Nigeria’s response to xenophobic attacks.
Arguing that the time for “diplomacy of tears” has passed, the former Edo State governor proposed a policy of strict reciprocity to protect Nigerian lives abroad.
“Hit Them Where It Hurts”
Speaking during a heated Senate plenary, Oshiomhole framed the issue as an economic struggle, asserting that Nigerian lives must not be equated to foreign investment. He proposed that the state nationalise the South African-held shares of MTN and re-privatise them to local investors to halt the daily repatriation of profits.
“If you hit me, I’ll hit you. It is appropriate in diplomacy,” Oshiomhole stated, calling for a total boycott of South African products and the grounding of South African Airways.
Market and Diplomatic Fallout
The Senator’s remarks triggered immediate anxiety in the financial sector. Shares of MTN Nigeria (MTNN) on the Nigerian Exchange saw a sharp decline as investors weighed the possibility of state intervention.
While the Senate condemned the “barbaric” attacks and authorized a high-level delegation to meet with South African counterparts, the Presidency remains cautious, prioritizing the voluntary repatriation of over 130 Nigerians who have already registered to flee the violence.
Crisis on the Ground
The call for retaliation comes as African nations, including Ghana and Kenya, warn their citizens to remain indoors in South Africa. Despite official denials of fatalities from some diplomatic channels, reports of looted businesses and threats to children in schools have pushed the African Union (AU) to face mounting pressure for regional sanctions.
