RCCG Donates $265,850 to Evacuate 500 Nigerians from South Africa

James A. Abi · September 7, 2026 · 82 views 3 min read

The donation will cover the cost of one-way air tickets for Nigerians seeking to return home following a new wave of anti-immigrant violence that has gripped South Africa in recent months. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed the Federal Government's gratitude to the church in a statement issued on Thursday, September 3.

Federal Government Commends Church's Intervention

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the donation as "a significant demonstration of RCCG's compassion, solidarity and genuine commitment to providing succour to distressed and stranded Nigerians." Ministry spokesperson Oluwafemi Adeniyi noted that the gesture "demonstrates the power of collaboration between faith-based organisations and public institutions in addressing social challenges."

"We are grateful for this partnership and look forward to working with the church's leadership in South Africa, as the generous donation is applied to the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians," Adeniyi said.

The Evacuation Numbers

The Federal Government commenced the ongoing evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa on June 10, 2026, following a new wave of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks on Africans and other nationals in the country. Since then, 1,640 Nigerians have been brought back home, with the Federal Government fully sponsoring the return of 1,385 of them, while the evacuation of the remaining 255 was supported through philanthropic donations.

Currently, 202 Nigerians are awaiting final screening by South Africa's Department of Home Affairs before they can be evacuated back to Nigeria. The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and Consulate General in Johannesburg remain open and are working with Nigerian community associations and other established channels to assist citizens who wish to return home.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God has donated $265,854 to support the Federal Government’s ongoing evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa amid renewed xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks, as reported by Sahara reporters and Voice of Nigeria.

RCCG's Commitment to the Diaspora

In a statement shared on its official X handle, the RCCG confirmed that the donation was made at the directive of its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye. The church said the funds are intended to provide immediate relief and facilitate the safe return of vulnerable Nigerian nationals seeking to leave South Africa.

"Pastor E.A. Adeboye affirms that this contribution aligns with the Church's core values of compassion, justice, and social responsibility, as taught in Scripture," the statement said. The church recognised the urgency of the situation and expressed solidarity with Nigerians affected by the recent tensions in South Africa.

Diplomatic and Continental Efforts

President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, raised concerns over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa during the 21st Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly on August 30, 2026, in Luanda, Angola, calling for urgent collective attention to address the situation.

The Ministry reaffirmed the administration's commitment to diaspora welfare under President Tinubu's 4Ds foreign policy framework—Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Defence—and welcomed partnerships with private organisations, philanthropists, faith-based organisations and development partners to support Nigerians abroad.