MINILS DG Calls for End to Xenophobia in South Africa

Comrade Issa Aremu, the Director General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), made a statement on Saturday in Ilorin, urging South African leaders to take action against xenophobia. This call coincided with the commemoration of Nelson Mandela Day on July 18, 2026.

Aremu emphasized that true leadership should unite people across political and ethnic divides, highlighting that recent attacks on undocumented immigrants in South Africa betray Mandela's legacy. He noted Mandela's commitment to forgiveness and reconciliation after spending 27 years in prison, which serves as a timeless lesson for leaders to prioritize collective good over personal grievances.

Aremu urged South African leaders to emulate Nigeria's diplomatic approach, as articulated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has refrained from retaliatory measures that could destabilize the African continent. He called for African leaders to embrace Mandela's vision of unity and cooperation to foster peace and prosperity across the continent.