The Federal Government has expressed gratitude to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for donating $265,854 to support the evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa following renewed xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, the donation will fund 500 one-way tickets for Nigerians seeking to return home.
The ministry described the gesture by RCCG, led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, as a “significant demonstration of compassion, solidarity and commitment to providing succour to stranded citizens.”
The government noted that the ongoing evacuation, which began on June 10, 2026, has so far brought back 1,640 Nigerians, with 1,385 fully sponsored by the Federal Government.
The remaining 255 were supported through philanthropic donations. Currently, 202 Nigerians are awaiting final clearance from South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs before returning.
The ministry reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad, citing President Bola Tinubu’s recent call at the African Union summit in Luanda for urgent collective action against xenophobic and Afrophobic violence.