The Federal Government thanked the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for donating $265,854 to help with the evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the donation will cover 500 one-way tickets for Nigerians seeking to return home after xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa.
Oluwafemi Adeniyi, the ministry’s spokesperson, confirmed this in a statement issued on Friday.
The donation made by the church, led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, was described by the ministry as “a significant demonstration of RCCG’s compassion, solidarity, and genuine commitment to providing succour to distressed and stranded Nigerians.”
The ministry stated that the gesture was particularly important for Nigerians “faced with the scourges of xenophobia and Afrophobia in South Africa.”
It added, “This gesture further demonstrates the impact that collaboration between faith-based organizations and public institutions can have in addressing social challenges and advancing the common good.
“We are grateful for this partnership and look forward to working with the church’s leadership in South Africa, as the generous donation is deployed to the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians,” the ministry stated.
On June 10, 2026, the Federal Government began the ongoing evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa in response to a new wave of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks on Africans and other citizens there.
The ministry stated that 1,640 Nigerian people had been returned home, with the Federal Government completely funding 1,385.
It stated that the evacuation of the remaining 255 Nigerians was funded by philanthropic donations.
Currently, 202 Nigerians are awaiting final screening by the South African Department of Home Affairs before being evacuated to Nigeria.
According to the ministry, “Our High Commission in Pretoria and Consulate General in Johannesburg remain open as they continue to reach out through Nigerian Community Associations and other established channels to assist Nigerians who desire to return home as a result of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.”
The ministry stated that the government would continue to work with South African authorities to address the “irritants of xenophobia and Afrophobia against our citizens.”
It further stated that the Federal Government “remains resolutely committed to promoting the welfare and well-being of Nigerians in the Diaspora,” in accordance with President Bola Tinubu’s 4Ds foreign policy priorities.
The ministry also cited Tinubu’s speech at the African Union’s 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, which took place on August 30, 2026, in Luanda, Angola.
It stated that the President was “unequivocal in expressing concern over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa and calling for urgent collective attention to address the situation.”
The ministry expressed its gratitude to the RCCG, stating that it “welcomes impactful partnerships with private organizations, philanthropists, faith-based organizations, development partners, and other stakeholders whose contributions can have a meaningful and long-term positive impact on Nigerians in the Diaspora.”
