The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has donated $265,854 to support the evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa amid renewed concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against foreign nationals.
The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the donation, made by the RCCG under the leadership of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, will fund the purchase of 500 one-way air tickets for Nigerians who wish to leave South Africa and return to Nigeria.
The ministry expressed its appreciation to the church, describing the contribution as a significant humanitarian intervention for Nigerians affected by the security situation.
The donation comes after the Federal Government had already undertaken several evacuation exercises for Nigerians seeking to return home from South Africa following reports of xenophobic attacks and other security concerns.
Between June and July 2026, the government coordinated multiple evacuation flights that brought vulnerable Nigerians back to the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that 1,490 Nigerians had been evacuated through the initial programme, while the National Emergency Management Agency later recorded 1,516 returnees received between June 11 and July 15. The difference in the figures reflects reporting at different stages of the exercise and should not be interpreted as two separate evacuation programmes.
The Federal Government's initial evacuation exercise was fully funded by the government, with returnees transported from South Africa to Nigeria at no cost to them. The operation involved the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and several government agencies responsible for registration, documentation, transportation, reception and reintegration.
The RCCG contribution provides additional support for Nigerians who remain in South Africa and wish to return home. According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the money is specifically intended for the purchase of 500 one-way tickets.
The latest intervention also highlights the role that faith-based organisations and other non-governmental partners can play alongside government institutions during humanitarian emergencies. The Foreign Affairs Ministry said the RCCG's contribution reflected compassion, solidarity and concern for Nigerians facing difficulties abroad.
The security concerns behind the evacuations have strained the environment for some Nigerians and other foreign nationals living in South Africa. Nigeria has continued to engage the South African authorities through diplomatic channels while calling for the protection of its citizens and rejecting xenophobia and violence against foreign nationals.
The Federal Government has previously stressed that its response is not limited to evacuation. Following the earlier return of Nigerians, government agencies coordinated reception, documentation, profiling and onward transportation, while efforts were also made to support the reintegration of returnees into their communities.
The government has also urged Nigerians living abroad to remain in contact with Nigerian diplomatic missions, obey the laws of their host countries and seek consular assistance when necessary. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would continue diplomatic engagement with South Africa over the safety and welfare of Nigerians in the country.
The RCCG donation therefore comes as part of a continuing response to the concerns facing Nigerians in South Africa. By providing funding for 500 air tickets, the church is helping to create another avenue for distressed Nigerians who have chosen to return home.
For the affected Nigerians, the financial support could make the difference between remaining in an increasingly difficult environment and having the means to travel back to Nigeria safely.
The latest development also reinforces the importance of cooperation between government and civil society organisations when citizens face emergencies outside the country. While the Federal Government remains responsible for diplomatic protection and consular assistance, contributions from organisations such as the RCCG can provide additional resources for immediate humanitarian needs.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has expressed gratitude for the intervention as Nigeria continues to monitor developments in South Africa and engage its authorities over the protection of Nigerian nationals.
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