BREAKING: FG Urged To Revoke MTN Group, MultiChoice Licences Over Xenophobic Attacks

FG has been urged to revoke MTN Group and MultiChoice licences over Xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

 

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has called for the revocation of operating licences of South African companies in Nigeria, including MTN Group and MultiChoice, following renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

 

The call was made during plenary on Tuesday as the National Assembly condemned the latest wave of violence and urged the Federal Government to take urgent diplomatic and protective steps to safeguard Nigerian citizens abroad.

 

Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Oshiomhole advocated a firm response based on the principle of reciprocity in international relations. “If you hit me, I’ll hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It’s an economic struggle,” he said.

 

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The former Edo State governor proposed that Nigeria should consider nationalising MTN and withdrawing its licence, arguing that the telecom giant repatriates substantial revenue while Nigerians face hostility in South Africa.

 

“This Senate should adopt a position that MTN, a South African company that is taking away millions of dollars from Nigeria every day, should have Nigeria nationalise it and withdraw its licence,” he stated.

 

He extended the recommendation to MultiChoice, operators of DStv, accusing the firm of exploitative practices and calling for its licence to be revoked as part of broader economic countermeasures.

 

Oshiomhole linked the recurring xenophobic tensions to internal political dynamics in South Africa, suggesting that anti-immigrant rhetoric has increasingly shaped public attitudes toward foreigners, including Nigerians.

 

Also contributing to the debate, Senator Victor Umeh described the situation as alarming, noting that many Nigerians in South Africa now live in fear and are unable to move freely.

 

He urged the African Union to intervene and impose sanctions, stressing that Nigeria’s past support for the anti-apartheid struggle should not be repaid with violence.

 

Similarly, Senator Abdul Ningi warned that continued attacks could trigger retaliatory measures, stating that Nigeria has “options” if the situation persists.

 

Senate President Godswill Akpabio condemned the attacks as “barbaric” and “unacceptable,” announcing that the National Assembly would send a joint delegation to engage with the South African parliament.

 

The motion, sponsored by Senator Osita Izunaso and presented by Senator Aniekan Bassey, called for urgent national diplomatic and humanitarian action to protect Nigerians abroad.

 

The development highlights growing pressure on the Federal Government to adopt a tougher stance as repeated xenophobic incidents in South Africa continue to strain bilateral relations and raise concerns over the safety of Nigerians living overseas.