RCCG Sponsors Return of 500 Nigerians from South Africa

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has donated $265,854 to help bring 500 distressed Nigerians home from South Africa amid concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.

The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed the donation on Saturday as it announced the arrival of another batch of 105 Nigerians evacuated from the country.

The returnees, comprising 82 adults and 23 children, arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways flight SA060 at about 8:30pm on Thursday, September 24, 2026.

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) received them at the airport.

Ministry spokesperson Oluwafemi Adeniyi said the RCCG donation covered one-way tickets for 100 of the 105 Nigerians in the latest batch.

“The return of 100 persons in this batch was funded from the $265,854 donation made by the Redeemed Christian Church of God towards the purchase of one-way tickets for the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa,” Adeniyi said.

A private Nigerian citizen funded the return of the remaining five evacuees, the ministry added.

With the latest returnees, Nigeria has now evacuated 1,821 nationals from South Africa since the exercise began on June 10, 2026.

The latest batch marked the 13th consular evacuation under the exercise. The Federal Government has fully funded the return of 1,388 of the 1,821 Nigerians evacuated so far.

Meanwhile, Nigerian diplomats in South Africa continue to work with RCCG leaders, philanthropic groups and individuals to facilitate the return of more distressed Nigerians.

The ministry said some Nigerians had entered the preliminary clearance process with the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg and relevant South African authorities.

It said the government would evacuate them after completing the necessary procedures.

The Federal Government thanked RCCG, led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for its financial support towards helping Nigerians who want to leave South Africa because of distress and safety concerns.

It also appreciated other organisations and individuals that have supported the evacuation effort.

According to the ministry, such partnerships show how public institutions and private groups can work together to address social challenges.

The government also said it remained concerned about continued xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.

It said it would sustain diplomatic engagements with South African authorities and pursue other measures to improve the safety and protection of Nigerians living in the country.

The ministry urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain vigilant and obey the law. It also advised them to stay in contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg for consular assistance.