Abuja — The Federal Government has extended its profound appreciation to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for a financial contribution of $265,854 aimed at airlifting distressed citizens out of South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the generous donation, spearheaded by the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, will purchase 500 one-way airline tickets. These tickets will facilitate the safe return of Nigerians stranded and facing severe security threats amid a fresh outbreak of xenophobic and afrophobic hostilities.
In an official statement released in Abuja by the ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, the government lauded the intervention as an exemplary model of cooperation between religious institutions and public bodies.
“This gesture further demonstrates the impact that collaboration between faith-based organisations and public institutions can have in addressing social challenges and advancing the common good,” Adeniyi stated. He added that the ministry looks forward to working hand-in-hand with church leadership in South Africa to ensure the funds directly benefit the targeted returnees.
Recounting the scope of the ongoing repatriation exercise, the ministry noted that government-backed and philanthropic evacuations began on June 10, 2026, following targeted violence against foreign nationals. To date, a total of 1,640 citizens have been successfully brought back home. While the Federal Government directly financed the return of 1,385 individuals, private and philanthropic gestures—now notably reinforced by the RCCG’s multi-thousand-dollar injection—have underwritten the remaining arrivals.
Presently, another 202 Nigerians are processed and awaiting final clearances from South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs before boarding flights back to Nigeria. Officials confirmed that both the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg remain on high alert, working closely with local community networks to locate and protect citizens desiring repatriation.
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The Foreign Affairs Ministry reiterated that protecting the dignity and safety of Nigerians abroad remains a foundational pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foreign policy. The administration pointed to President Tinubu’s forceful condemnation of the crisis during 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, where he demanded immediate continental action against systemic xenophobia.
Concluding the statement, the government welcomed further synergistic partnerships with corporate entities, civil society groups, and philanthropists to cushion the impact of global challenges on the diaspora.
