RCCG Donates $265,854 to Evacuate Nigerians From South Africa
The Federal Government has commended the Redeemed Christian Church of God for donating $265,854 to help evacuate distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the donation will cover 500 one-way air tickets for Nigerians seeking to return home amid xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa. The ministry disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi.
It described the donation from the church, led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, as a major show of compassion and support for Nigerians facing hardship abroad.
The ministry said the intervention would help Nigerians affected by xenophobia and Afrophobia in South Africa return safely to the country.
It also highlighted the value of cooperation between faith-based organisations and government agencies in responding to humanitarian challenges.
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The Federal Government began the evacuation exercise on June 10, 2026, after a fresh wave of attacks against Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa. The ministry said 1,640 Nigerians have so far returned home through the ongoing exercise.
According to the ministry, the government funded the return of 1,385 Nigerians, while private donations covered the evacuation of the remaining 255.
It added that 202 Nigerians are currently awaiting final screening by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs before they can return to Nigeria.
The ministry said Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria and Consulate General in Johannesburg remain engaged with Nigerian community groups to assist citizens who want to leave South Africa because of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.
It said the government will continue discussions with South African authorities to tackle concerns surrounding attacks against Nigerians and other Africans.
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The ministry also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of Nigerians living abroad under President Bola Tinubu’s foreign policy priorities.
It cited Tinubu’s intervention at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, on August 30, 2026.
According to the ministry, the President raised concerns over repeated xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa and called for urgent action to address the problem.
The government also welcomed further support from faith-based groups, private organisations, philanthropists and development partners to improve the welfare of Nigerians in the diaspora.
The ministry said such partnerships can provide practical assistance to Nigerians facing difficult conditions abroad.
source: Punch News
Content Credit: Azeez Amosun
Image Credit: Daily Post
