RCCG Donates $265,854 to Support Evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa

For hundreds of Nigerians facing difficult circumstances in South Africa, the journey back home may now be closer than before.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has donated $265,854 to support the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa following reports of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.

The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed the donation and expressed appreciation to the church for its intervention.

According to the ministry, the funds will be used to purchase 500 one-way tickets for Nigerians who wish to return to Nigeria because of the difficult circumstances they have experienced in South Africa.

The donation comes as the Federal Government continues an evacuation exercise that began on June 10, 2026, following a renewed wave of attacks targeting Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa.

Before the latest intervention, the Nigerian government reported that 1,640 Nigerian nationals had already been evacuated to Nigeria. The Federal Government fully funded the return of 1,385 Nigerians, while philanthropic support assisted with the evacuation of another 255 people.

The ministry also reported that 202 Nigerians were still awaiting final screening by South Africa's Department of Home Affairs before their evacuation could be completed.

The RCCG's intervention is expected to provide additional support for the ongoing repatriation exercise. Rather than serving as a general financial package for Nigerians living in South Africa, the donation is specifically intended to facilitate the return of distressed Nigerians who wish to leave the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the church's contribution as an expression of compassion, solidarity and commitment to assisting distressed and stranded Nigerians.

The development also highlights the role of faith-based organisations in supporting government-led humanitarian efforts. By providing funds for the purchase of return tickets, RCCG is contributing directly to the logistical needs involved in bringing affected Nigerians back home.

Meanwhile, Nigeria's diplomatic missions in South Africa continue to engage with Nigerian community associations and other relevant stakeholders to identify citizens who require assistance and may wish to return to Nigeria.

The Nigerian government has also continued diplomatic engagement with South African authorities concerning the safety and welfare of Nigerians and other African nationals in the country.

With the $265,854 donation earmarked for 500 one-way tickets, the RCCG intervention could help more distressed Nigerians complete their journey home.

Beyond the financial value of the donation, the gesture represents an effort to provide practical assistance to Nigerians facing hardship away from home.

For the Nigerians who will benefit from the evacuation, the donation could mean more than a plane ticket. It could provide an opportunity to leave an increasingly difficult environment and return safely to Nigeria.