ABUJA — The Federal Government has commended the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for donating $265,854 towards the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the contribution as a demonstration of compassion and solidarity with Nigerians affected by xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, the ministry expressed the government’s “profound gratitude” to the RCCG, led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for supporting the ongoing evacuation programme through the purchase of 500 one-way air tickets.
The ministry said the donation underscored the positive impact that collaboration between faith-based organisations and public institutions could have in responding to social challenges and providing assistance to distressed Nigerians.
It said the government looked forward to working with the leadership of the church in South Africa as the donation is applied towards the evacuation of the 500 Nigerians.
The Federal Government began the ongoing evacuation exercise on June 10, 2026, following what the ministry described as a new wave of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa.
Since the exercise began, 1,640 Nigerian nationals have been brought back home, with the Federal Government sponsoring the return of 1,385 people.
The ministry said the evacuation of the remaining 255 Nigerians was made possible through philanthropic donations.
It added that 202 Nigerians are currently awaiting final screening by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs before their evacuation to Nigeria can be completed.
Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria and Consulate General in Johannesburg, the ministry said, continue to engage Nigerian Community Associations and other established channels to assist citizens who wish to return home because of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.
The Federal Government also reaffirmed its diplomatic engagement with South African authorities to address concerns over xenophobia and Afrophobia affecting Nigerians and other Africans.
The ministry linked the evacuation effort to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 4Ds foreign policy priorities, particularly the government’s commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians in the diaspora.
It also recalled President Tinubu’s statement at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, on August 30, where he expressed concern over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa and called for urgent collective attention to the issue.
The ministry said it welcomed further partnerships with private organisations, philanthropists, faith-based organisations, development partners and other stakeholders whose interventions could have a meaningful and lasting impact on Nigerians in the diaspora.
