The Federal Government has expressed appreciation to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for donating $265,854 to facilitate the evacuation of 500 Nigerians fleeing xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed the donation in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, describing the gesture by the church, led by Pastor Enoch Adeboye, as a significant demonstration of compassion, solidarity and commitment to the welfare of distressed Nigerians.
According to the ministry, the donation will be used to purchase 500 one-way air tickets for Nigerians seeking to return home amid growing concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa.
The ministry said the RCCG’s intervention demonstrated the positive impact that collaboration between faith-based organisations and public institutions could have in tackling pressing social challenges and promoting 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 statement said.
The Federal Government also provided an update on its ongoing evacuation efforts, revealing that 1,640 Nigerians have been brought back home since June 10, 2026.
Of that number, the government fully funded the repatriation of 1,385 Nigerians, while the return of the remaining 255 was made possible through philanthropic donations.
The ministry further 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 Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria and Consulate General in Johannesburg had continued to engage Nigerian community associations and other established channels to identify and assist Nigerians who wish to return home because of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.
Beyond the evacuation exercise, the ministry said the Nigerian government had sustained diplomatic engagement with the South African authorities in an effort to address the underlying issues and prevent further attacks against Nigerians.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians living abroad, in line with the 4Ds foreign policy priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The ministry said the commitment had been reflected in the President’s sustained diplomatic interventions on the issue, including his position 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.
Although President Tinubu did not attend the session in person, the statement said his position was delivered on his behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
According to the ministry, President Tinubu was unequivocal in expressing concern over the recurrence of 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 financial contribution to the evacuation programme, while encouraging further partnerships with private organisations, philanthropists, faith-based organisations, development partners and other stakeholders.
It said such partnerships remained critical to providing immediate relief to Nigerians in distress abroad and creating sustainable solutions capable of improving the welfare and protection of Nigerians in the Diaspora.
