The Federal Government has expressed profound appreciation to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for donating $265,854 to support the ongoing emergency evacuation of distressed Nigerian citizens from South Africa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that the intervention comes at a critical time when many Nigerians are seeking immediate repatriation following a renewed wave of violent xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.

According to an official statement signed on Friday by the ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, the substantial financial contribution will completely fund 500 one-way airline tickets. This intervention is aimed directly at providing immediate relief to stranded citizens who have lost their livelihoods or face severe safety threats due to the recurring hostilities targeting foreign nationals.

The ministry described the swift intervention by the church, which is led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, as a profound reflection of humanitarian leadership. The government lauded the gesture as “a significant demonstration of RCCG’s compassion, solidarity, and genuine commitment to providing succour to distressed and stranded Nigerians” who are currently facing severe hardship abroad.

Highlighting the importance of civic synergy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the intervention serves as a prime model for national crisis management. The statement emphasized that the gesture further demonstrates the massive impact that structured collaboration between faith-based organisations and public institutions can have in addressing critical social challenges and advancing the common good.

The repatriation exercise was officially launched by the Federal Government on June 10, 2026, in response to the escalating targeting of foreign Africans and other nationals in South Africa. Since the commencement of the emergency operation, a total of 1,640 Nigerian nationals have been successfully evacuated and brought back home safely.

A breakdown of the evacuation funding reveals that the Federal Government directly sponsored the return of 1,385 citizens, while private philanthropic donations successfully funded the repatriation of 255 individuals. Currently, another batch of 202 Nigerians is stranded in South Africa, awaiting final security and documentation screening by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs before their final airlift.

To ensure no willing citizen is left behind, Nigeria`s diplomatic missions—the High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg—remain fully operational. The ministry confirmed that diplomatic staff are working around the clock, leveraging Nigerian Community Associations and established local channels to identify, screen, and assist citizens who desire an immediate return home.

The Federal Government reiterated its unwavering commitment to the welfare of its citizens worldwide under President Bola Tinubu`s "4Ds" foreign policy framework. This follows the President`s recent decisive address at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, on August 30, 2026, where he strongly condemned the recurring xenophobic violence and called on continental leaders to implement permanent solutions.