RCCG donated $265,854 to repatriate 500 suffering Nigerians from South Africa

The Federal Government has commended the Redeemed Christian Church of God for donating $265,854 to support the evacuation of distressed Nigerians seeking to return home from South Africa amid xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.

The donation, distributed by the church led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, will provide funds for 500 one-way flight tickets for Nigerians who have indicated their desire to leave South Africa.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed the development in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, who described the intervention as an 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 assistance to distressed and stranded Nigerians.”

It said the support was timely for Nigerians who are “facing the scourge of Xenophobia and Afrophobia in South Africa.”

The ministry said the partnership between the Federal Government and the church demonstrated the importance of collaboration between public institutions and faith-based organizations in addressing humanitarian challenges.

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“This step further demonstrates the impact of collaboration between faith-based organizations and public institutions in addressing social challenges and advancing the common good.

“We are grateful for this partnership and look forward to working with church leadership in South Africa, as donations are channeled to evacuate 500 Nigerians in distress,” the ministry said.

The Federal Government began its latest evacuation drill on 10 June 2026, following a new wave of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks affecting African and other foreign nationals in South Africa.

So far, the ministry said, 1,640 Nigerians have been successfully evacuated and repatriated. Of this number, the Federal Government fully funded the evacuation of 1,385 Nigerians, while philanthropic donations supported the return of the remaining 255 Nigerians.

The ministry added that another 202 Nigerians are currently awaiting final checks by the South African Department of Home Affairs before arrangements for their evacuation to Nigeria are finalized.

It said that Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in South Africa continues to assist its citizens who wish to return to their country.

According to the ministry, “Our High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg remain open as they continue to reach out through the Nigerian Community Association and other established channels, to assist Nigerians who wish to return to their homes as a result of Xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.”

The Federal Government also assured Nigerians that they would continue to engage the South African authorities over what they described as “Xenophobic and Afrophobic harassment against our citizens.”

It reiterated that the welfare of Nigerians living abroad remains a priority in the foreign policy agenda of the Bola Tinubu administration.

The ministry said the Federal Government “remains committed to enhancing the prosperity and well-being of Nigerians in the Diaspora,” in line with the 4D foreign policy priorities of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

He also recalled President Tinubu’s intervention at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union held in Luanda, Angola, on 30 August 2026.

According to the ministry, the President “firmly expressed concern over the repeated xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa, and called for urgent collective attention to address the situation.”

The Ministry again thanked RCCG for its intervention and called for more collaboration from organizations and individuals willing to support Nigerians in distress across the world.

It said it “welcomes impactful partnerships with private organizations, philanthropists, faith-based organizations, development partners and other stakeholders whose contributions can have a meaningful and lasting positive impact on Nigerians in the Diaspora.”