The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has made a significant donation to support the evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa. The church donated $265,854 to facilitate the return of 500 Nigerians affected by xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa. This generous contribution was disclosed by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday. The ministry announced the arrival of another batch of evacuees, highlighting the RCCG's role in the ongoing evacuation exercise.
A new batch of 105 Nigerians was evacuated from South Africa and arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on September 24, 2026. The group consisted of 82 adults and 23 children who traveled on a South African Airways flight. They were received by officials from various government agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission. The continuous evacuation efforts aim to bring back Nigerians affected by the violence in South Africa.
The RCCG donation was specifically used to purchase one-way tickets for 100 of the 105 Nigerians in the latest batch. According to the ministry's spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, the church's contribution significantly impacted the evacuation process. The remaining five individuals in the batch were funded through a donation from a private Nigerian citizen. This collaborative effort demonstrates the role of both public and private entities in supporting the evacuation.
Since the evacuation exercise began on June 10, 2026, a total of 1,821 Nigerians have been returned from South Africa. The Federal Government has fully funded the evacuation of 1,388 returnees, while the RCCG's donation supported the return of 500 individuals. The Nigerian diplomatic mission in South Africa continues to engage with the RCCG and other philanthropic groups to facilitate the return of additional distressed Nigerians.
The Federal Government has expressed gratitude to the RCCG, under the leadership of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for its contribution to the evacuation effort. The government also acknowledged the support of other groups and individuals, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing social challenges. The ongoing efforts aim to ensure the safety and dignity of Nigerians living in South Africa.
Despite the evacuation efforts, the Federal Government remains concerned about the persistent xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa. The government continues to engage with South African authorities to secure their cooperation in addressing the attacks and protecting the safety of Nigerians. Nigerians resident in South Africa are urged to remain vigilant and law-abiding, maintaining contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg for consular assistance.
The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg is currently processing preliminary clearance for some Nigerians who are awaiting evacuation. Once the process is completed, they will be evacuated. The government and private organizations continue to work together to support the return of distressed Nigerians, ensuring their safety and well-being.
Key points
- RCCG donates $265,854 to support evacuation of 500 Nigerians from South Africa.
- A total of 1,821 Nigerians have been returned from South Africa since the evacuation exercise began on June 10, 2026.
- The Federal Government remains concerned about persistent xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.
