The Federal Government has commended the Redeemed Christian Church of God for donating $265,854 towards the evacuation of Nigerians affected by xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that the donation would cover 500 one-way air tickets for distressed Nigerians seeking to return to the country.
The ministry made this known in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi.
It described the intervention by the church, led by Pastor Enoch Adeboye, as a major humanitarian gesture demonstrating compassion and solidarity with Nigerians facing difficult circumstances in South Africa.
According to the ministry, the donation would provide critical assistance to Nigerians affected by xenophobia and Afrophobia, while also highlighting the importance of cooperation between government institutions and faith-based organisations in responding to humanitarian challenges.
The Federal Government began the latest evacuation exercise on June 10, 2026, following renewed xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks involving Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
The ministry said 1,640 Nigerians had so far been evacuated, with the government funding the return of 1,385 people.
It added that philanthropic contributions had covered the evacuation of the remaining 255 Nigerians.
However, 202 Nigerians are still awaiting final screening by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs before arrangements are made for their return to Nigeria.
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The ministry said Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria and Consulate General in Johannesburg remained engaged with Nigerian community associations and other relevant channels to assist citizens who wished to leave South Africa because of the attacks.
It also said the Federal Government would continue discussions with South African authorities towards addressing what it described as persistent “irritants” of xenophobia and Afrophobia against Nigerians.
The ministry reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of Nigerians living abroad, in line with the foreign policy priorities of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
It further recalled President Tinubu’s intervention at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, on August 30, where he expressed concern over recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa and called for urgent collective action.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry also encouraged continued collaboration with private organisations, philanthropists, faith-based groups and development partners whose interventions could provide meaningful support to Nigerians in the diaspora.