FG Commends RCCG For $265,854 Donation To Evacuate 500 Nigerians From South Africa

The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed appreciation to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for donating $265,854 towards the evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a press release signed by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, said the donation would be used to purchase 500 one-way air tickets for Nigerians seeking to return home amid xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa.

The Ministry described the gesture as a significant demonstration of RCCG’s compassion, solidarity and commitment to supporting distressed and stranded Nigerians facing insecurity and discrimination in South Africa.

According to the statement, the donation also underscores the positive impact that collaboration between faith-based organisations and public institutions can have in addressing social challenges and promoting the common good.
The Federal Government said it looks forward to working with the church’s leadership in South Africa as the contribution is deployed towards the evacuation of the 500 Nigerians.

The government recalled that it commenced the ongoing evacuation exercise on June 10, 2026, following a new wave of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
Since the exercise began, 1,640 Nigerian nationals have been brought back home, with the Federal Government fully funding the return of 1,385, while the evacuation of the remaining 255 Nigerians was supported through philanthropic donations.

The Ministry disclosed that 202 Nigerians are currently awaiting final screening by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs before their evacuation to Nigeria.

It added that the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg remain open and 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 commitment to protecting the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians in the Diaspora, in line with the 4Ds foreign policy priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

The Ministry said the commitment was further demonstrated by President Tinubu’s intervention 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.
Represented at the session by Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON, President Tinubu expressed concern over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa and called for urgent collective attention to the situation.

The Ministry further welcomed partnerships with private organisations, philanthropists, faith-based organisations, development partners and other stakeholders whose contributions can provide meaningful and lasting support for Nigerians living in the Diaspora.

The statement was issued on Thursday, September 3, 2026, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.