Hon. Kolawole Lawal Mobolorunduro, Ph.D. (KLM), has commended the Federal Government for its prompt evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa amid rising xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant tensions.
In a statement personally signed by him, the former lawmaker described the swift intervention by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerians, both at home and abroad.
Dr. Lawal praised the timely evacuation and repatriation of Nigerians who voluntarily opted to return home in the face of increasing threats targeting foreign nationals in South Africa.
The former member of the House of Representatives, who represented Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency in the 9th National Assembly (2019–2023), noted that the government’s intervention had saved the lives of many Nigerians, despite the fact that several returnees were forced to abandon their businesses and properties in South Africa.
He expressed regret that, despite Nigeria’s significant support for South Africa during the apartheid era, the country had failed to reciprocate the goodwill. According to him, many Nigerians have been driven out of South Africa due to xenophobic violence, while some have reportedly lost their lives.
He also endorsed the Federal Government’s decision to pursue compensation for businesses and properties abandoned by Nigerians returning from South Africa.
It would be recalled that on June 24, the first batch of 66 Nigerian returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, aboard a South African Airways flight.
In the sake vein, a major evacuation operation conducted by Air Peace successfully airlifted 271 Nigerians from Johannesburg to Lagos, bringing the total number of returnees under the ongoing exercise to more than 300 on June 30, 2026.
The evacuation exercise is being coordinated by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and the Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa.
