The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has donated $265,854 (about N352 million) to support the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa amid renewed xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.
The Federal Government disclosed the donation in a statement issued on Thursday, September 3, 2026, by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oluwafemi Adeniyi.
According to the ministry, the funds will be used to purchase 500 one-way air tickets for Nigerians seeking to return home from South Africa.
The government commended the RCCG for what it described as a demonstration of compassion, solidarity and commitment to supporting Nigerians stranded or facing difficulties abroad.
“The Ministry regards this donation as a significant demonstration of RCCG’s compassion, solidarity and genuine commitment to providing succour to distressed and stranded Nigerians,” the statement said.
The ministry also described the development as an example of the positive impact that collaboration between faith-based organisations and government institutions can have in addressing humanitarian and social challenges.
The Federal Government commenced the current evacuation exercise on June 10, 2026, following a fresh wave of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said 1,640 Nigerians have so far been evacuated under the exercise.
Of the figure, the Federal Government has fully funded the return of 1,385 Nigerians, while philanthropic donations have supported the evacuation of the remaining 255 people.
The ministry added that another 202 Nigerians are currently awaiting final screening by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs before they can be evacuated to Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in South Africa have continued efforts to assist citizens who wish to return home.
The ministry said the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg remain open and are working through Nigerian community associations and other established channels to identify and assist Nigerians affected by the attacks.
The Federal Government also said it was maintaining diplomatic engagements with South African authorities to address the recurring attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in the country.
It reiterated its commitment to protecting the welfare of Nigerians living abroad, while encouraging private organisations, philanthropists, religious bodies and development partners to support citizens facing difficulties in foreign countries.
The ministry said such partnerships could provide meaningful and lasting assistance to Nigerians in the diaspora.
The government further linked its response to President Bola Tinubu’s 4Ds foreign policy agenda, noting that the President had raised concerns about recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa during the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, on August 30.
Tinubu’s position was delivered on his behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who called for urgent collective action to tackle the persistent attacks.
The government said it would continue engaging South African authorities while exploring measures to safeguard Nigerians and facilitate the return of those who no longer feel safe remaining in the country.
