RCCG’s $265,854 donation funds evacuation of 100 Nigerians from S’Africa
By Favour Ulebor, Abuja
The Federal Government has evacuated 100 Nigerians from South Africa with funding from a $265,854 donation by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for the purchase of one-way tickets for 500 distressed Nigerians seeking to return home over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, adding that another five returnees were evacuated with funding from a private Nigerian citizen, bringing the latest batch to 105 Nigerians.
The returnees, comprising 82 adults and 23 children, arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways Flight SA060 on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at approximately 8:30 p.m.
They were received by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant Federal Government agencies.
The ministry said Nigeria’s diplomatic mission was continuing engagements with the leadership of the RCCG in South Africa, as well as other philanthropic groups and individuals, to facilitate the evacuation of more Nigerians in distress.
It added that some other Nigerians seeking evacuation were undergoing preliminary clearance with the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg and relevant South African authorities. They would be evacuated once the necessary processes had been completed.
The latest arrival represents the 13th consular evacuation from South Africa since the exercise began on June 10, 2026, bringing the total number of Nigerians evacuated to 1,821.
The statement in parts, “It is important to note that the return of 100 persons in this batch was funded from the Two Hundred and Sixty-Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Four US Dollars ($265,854.00) donation made by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) towards the purchase of one-way tickets for the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa. The return of the remaining five was funded by the generous donation of a private Nigerian citizen.
“Nigeria’s diplomatic mission continues to engage with the leadership of the RCCG in South Africa and other philanthropic groups and individuals, as some other distressed Nigerians are currently undergoing preliminary clearance with our Consulate in Johannesburg and relevant South African authorities.
“They will be evacuated as soon as the process is finalized. Of this number, the Federal Government fully funded the evacuation of 1,388 Nigerians.”
The Federal Government expressed appreciation to the RCCG, under the leadership of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for its donation towards the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians.
It also acknowledged other groups and individuals who had supported efforts to bring Nigerians facing distress and safety concerns in South Africa back home.
The ministry said the contributions demonstrated the impact of collaboration between public institutions, religious organisations and private individuals in addressing humanitarian challenges.
The Federal Government expressed concern over persistent xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.
It said it remained committed to diplomatic efforts and other concrete measures to secure the cooperation of South African authorities in addressing the attacks and ensuring the safety, security and dignity of Nigerians living in the country.
The government also assured Nigerians in the diaspora that protecting their lives, rights and welfare remained a priority, adding that appropriate diplomatic and consular measures would be deployed to assist them whenever necessary.
It urged Nigerians residing in South Africa to remain vigilant, law-abiding and maintain contact with the Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg for consular assistance whenever required.
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