The Federal Government has commended the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for donating $265,854 to support the evacuation of distressed Nigerians seeking to return home from South Africa amid reported xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.
The donation, made by the church led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, will fund 500 one-way flight tickets for Nigerians who have indicated their desire to leave South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, describing the intervention as a major act of compassion and solidarity towards Nigerians facing difficult circumstances abroad.
According to the ministry, the contribution represents “a significant demonstration of RCCG’s compassion, solidarity and genuine commitment to providing succour to distressed and stranded Nigerians.”
It said the support was particularly timely for citizens “faced with the scourges of Xenophobia and Afrophobia in South Africa.”
The ministry said the partnership between the Federal Government and the church underscored the importance of collaboration between public institutions and faith-based organisations in responding to humanitarian challenges.
“This gesture further demonstrates the impact that collaboration between faith-based organisations 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.
The Federal Government began the latest evacuation exercise on June 10, 2026, following a fresh wave of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks affecting Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
The ministry said 1,640 Nigerians had so far been successfully evacuated and returned home.
Of the figure, the Federal Government fully funded the evacuation of 1,385 citizens, while philanthropic donations supported the return of the remaining 255 Nigerians.
Another 202 Nigerians are currently awaiting final screening by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs before arrangements for their evacuation can be concluded, the ministry added.
It said Nigerian diplomatic missions in South Africa continued to assist citizens who wished to return home.
“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.
The Federal Government also assured Nigerians that it would continue engaging South African authorities over what it described as the persistent “irritants of Xenophobia and Afrophobia against our citizens.”
It reiterated that the welfare of Nigerians living outside the country remained a priority under the foreign policy agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The ministry said the government “remains resolutely committed to promoting the welfare and well-being of Nigerians in the Diaspora,” in line with the 4Ds foreign policy priorities of the Tinubu administration.
It also recalled President Tinubu’s intervention during the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, on August 30, 2026.
According to the ministry, 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 again thanked the RCCG for its intervention and called for increased collaboration from organisations and individuals willing to support Nigerians in distress across the world.
It said it “welcomes impactful partnerships with private organisations, philanthropists, faith-based organisations, development partners and other stakeholders whose contributions can engender meaningful and lasting positive bearing on Nigerians in the Diaspora.”
