The Redeemed Christian Church of God has donated $265,854 to fund the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, on Thursday.
The donation, made by the church led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, will cover 500 one-way air tickets for Nigerians seeking to leave South Africa amid renewed xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.
The ministry said the gesture reflected the church’s “compassion, solidarity and genuine commitment” to Nigerians facing hardship in the country.
It expressed gratitude to the RCCG, saying the donation would be deployed in collaboration with the church’s leadership in South Africa to facilitate the return of the affected Nigerians.
The Federal Government began evacuating distressed Nigerians from South Africa on June 10, 2026, following a fresh wave of attacks against Africans and other nationals.
Since the exercise began, 1,640 Nigerians have returned home, with the government financing the evacuation of 1,385 people, while philanthropic donations covered the return of the remaining 255.
The ministry said 202 Nigerians are currently awaiting final screening by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs before their evacuation.
It added that Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria and Consulate General in Johannesburg were continuing to engage Nigerian Community Associations and other established channels to assist citizens who wish to return because of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.
The ministry said the government was also engaging South African authorities over the attacks, stressing its commitment to the welfare of Nigerians living abroad under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 4Ds foreign policy priorities.
It cited Tinubu’s statement at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, on August 30.
The statement, delivered on Tinubu’s behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima, expressed concern over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa and called for urgent collective action.
The ministry said it welcomed partnerships with private organisations, philanthropists, faith-based organisations, development partners and other stakeholders whose contributions could improve the welfare of Nigerians in the Diaspora.