RCCG Donates $265,854 to Evacuate 500 Nigerians from South Africa Amid Xenophobic Attacks

The Federal Government has thanked the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for donating $265,854 to support the evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa amid renewed xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the donation will fund 500 one-way air tickets for Nigerians seeking to return home from the troubled areas. The ministry described the intervention as a major humanitarian contribution to efforts to protect Nigerians affected by the crisis.

In a statement issued on Friday, ministry spokesperson Oluwafemi Adeniyi praised the RCCG, led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for responding to the situation with what the government described as compassion and solidarity.

The ministry said the donation showed the value of cooperation between faith-based organisations and government institutions during humanitarian emergencies. It added that it would work with the RCCG leadership in South Africa to ensure the funds are properly used to facilitate the safe return of the 500 Nigerians.

The Federal Government began evacuating distressed Nigerians from South Africa on June 10, 2026, following concerns over attacks targeting foreign nationals. So far, 1,640 Nigerians have been repatriated, with the government paying for the return of 1,385 people while private donations funded the evacuation of another 255.

Another 202 Nigerians are currently awaiting final screening by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs before they can be cleared to return to Nigeria. The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg remain operational and are working with Nigerian community groups to identify citizens who need assistance leaving affected areas.

Beyond the evacuation programme, the Federal Government said it is continuing diplomatic engagements with South African authorities over recurring xenophobic attacks. President Bola Tinubu raised the issue during the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, on August 30, calling for urgent continental action.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said protecting Nigerians living abroad remains a key part of the Tinubu administration’s foreign policy. It also welcomed further support from private organisations, philanthropists and development partners as efforts continue to assist Nigerians affected by the crisis.