| Nicolau Lobato | |
| Office: | Political leader of the East Timorese resistance forces |
| Term Start: | 7 December 1975 |
| Term End: | 31 December 1978 |
| Predecessor: | Francisco Xavier do Amaral (as President of East Timor under the UDI government) |
| Successor: | Position abolished Arnaldo dos Reis Araújo (as Governor of East Timor) |
| Order2: | 1st Prime Minister of East Timor |
| President2: | Francisco Xavier do Amaral |
| Term Start2: | 28 November 1975 |
| Term End2: | 7 December 1975 |
| Predecessor2: | Position established |
| Successor2: | Position abolished |
| Birth Date: | 1946 5, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Soibada, Portuguese Timor |
| Death Place: | Mount Mindelo, East Timor, Indonesia |
| Death Cause: | Killed in action |
| Children: | 1 |
| Party: | Fretilin |
| Nationality: | Timorese |
| Relatives: | Rogerio Lobato (brother) |
| Allegiance: | East Timor |
| Serviceyears: | 1975–1978 |
| Commands: | Falintil |
| Battles: | Indonesian occupation |
| Parents: | Narciso Lobato (father) Felismina Alves (mother) |
Nicolau dos Reis Lobato (24 May 1946 – 31 December 1978) was an East Timorese politician who is considered the national hero of the country.
Lobato was born in Soibada, Portuguese Timor on 24 May 1946.
Lobato was the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of East Timor from 28 November to 7 December 1975. Upon the invasion by the Indonesian military, Lobato, along with other key Fretilin leaders, fled into the Timorese hinterland to fight against the occupying forces. On the final day of 1978, Lobato was ambushed by Indonesian special forces led by Lieutenant Prabowo Subianto (later son-in-law of President Suharto) at Mount Mindelo.[1] [2]
He was killed after being shot in the stomach on 31 December 1978 and his body was brought to Dili to be inspected by Indonesian press. What then happened to his body is unknown, but the East Timorese government continues to pursue the issue with the Indonesian government, so that his remains can be given a proper burial.[3]
East Timor's main airport was renamed Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in his honour.