The Nigerian Government has expressed appreciation to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), led by Pastor Enoch Adeboye, for donating $265,854 towards the evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the donation would fund 500 one-way air tickets for Nigerians seeking to return home amid renewed xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa.
In a statement signed by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, the Nigerian Government described the contribution as a significant demonstration of the RCCG’s compassion, solidarity and commitment to providing succour to distressed and stranded Nigerians.
The Ministry said the gesture also highlighted the impact that collaboration between faith-based organisations and public institutions could have in addressing social challenges and advancing the common good.
It said the Nigerian Government was grateful for the partnership and would work with the church’s leadership in South Africa to ensure the donation was applied towards the evacuation of the 500 distressed Nigerians.
The Nigerian Government commenced the ongoing evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa on June 10, 2026, following a new wave of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Africans and other nationals in the country.
According to the Ministry, 1,640 Nigerian nationals have so far been brought back to Nigeria. Of this number, the Nigerian Government fully sponsored the return of 1,385 Nigerians, while the evacuation of the remaining 255 was funded through philanthropic donations.
The Ministry disclosed that 202 Nigerians are currently awaiting final screening by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs before they can be evacuated to Nigeria.
It said the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg remained actively engaged with Nigerian community associations and other established channels to assist Nigerians who wish to return home because of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.
The Nigerian Government also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians in the Diaspora, in line with the 4Ds foreign policy priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The Ministry noted that President Tinubu had continued to raise concerns over attacks against Nigerians and other Africans through diplomatic engagements, including his statement at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, held on August 30, 2026, in Luanda, Angola.
It said the President was “unequivocal in expressing concern over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa” and called for urgent collective action to address the situation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs again thanked the RCCG for its contribution to the ongoing evacuation efforts and said it welcomed impactful partnerships with private organisations, philanthropists, faith-based organisations, development partners and other stakeholders whose contributions could have a meaningful and lasting impact on Nigerians in the Diaspora.
