The Federal Government has commended the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), led by Pastor Enoch Adeboye, for donating $265,854 to support the evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the donation would fund the purchase of 500 one-way air tickets for Nigerians seeking to return home amid renewed xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, the government described the intervention as a significant demonstration of compassion, solidarity and commitment to the welfare of Nigerians in distress.

The ministry said the contribution also underscored the importance of collaboration between faith-based organisations and government institutions in responding to humanitarian challenges.

“The Ministry regards this donation as a significant demonstration of RCCG’s compassion, solidarity and genuine commitment to providing succour to distressed and stranded Nigerians,” the statement said.

The Federal Government commenced the evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa on June 10, 2026, following a fresh wave of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Africans and other nationals in the country.

According to the ministry, 1,640 Nigerian nationals have so far been evacuated to Nigeria under the ongoing exercise.

Of the figure, the Federal Government fully financed the return of 1,385 Nigerians, while philanthropic donations covered the evacuation of the remaining 255.

The ministry disclosed that 202 Nigerians are currently awaiting final screening by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs before they can be evacuated.

It added that Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria and Consulate General in Johannesburg were continuing to engage Nigerian Community Associations and other established channels to identify and assist Nigerians who wish to return home because of the attacks.

The government also said it was maintaining diplomatic engagements with South African authorities to address the recurring cases of xenophobia and Afrophobia against Nigerians and other African nationals.

It linked the efforts to President Bola Tinubu’s foreign policy priorities, particularly the administration’s commitment to protecting the welfare of Nigerians in the diaspora.

The ministry further cited President Tinubu’s recent intervention at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union held on August 30, 2026, in Luanda, Angola.

The President, represented at the session by Vice President Kashim Shettima, expressed concern over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa and called for urgent collective action to address the situation.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said the Federal Government remained open to partnerships with private organisations, philanthropists, faith-based organisations and development partners willing to support Nigerians facing difficulties abroad.

It particularly thanked the RCCG for its latest financial contribution, saying the funds would be deployed in collaboration with the church’s leadership in South Africa to facilitate the evacuation of the 500 distressed Nigerians.