The Federal Government has evacuated 100 Nigerians from South Africa following a donation of $265,854 by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) to support the return of distressed Nigerians affected by xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed on Saturday that the funds were provided for the purchase of one-way air tickets for 500 Nigerians seeking to return home from South Africa.
According to the ministry, the latest batch of returnees included 100 Nigerians funded through the RCCG donation, while an additional five Nigerians were evacuated through support from a private Nigerian citizen, bringing the total number of returnees in the latest exercise to 105.
The returnees, comprising 82 adults and 23 children, arrived in Lagos aboard a South African Airways flight on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at about 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 government agencies.
The ministry said Nigeria’s diplomatic mission was continuing discussions with RCCG leadership in South Africa, as well as other philanthropic organisations and individuals, to facilitate the evacuation of more Nigerians in distress.
It added that some Nigerians awaiting evacuation were undergoing preliminary clearance with the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg and relevant South African authorities.
The latest evacuation marks the 13th consular evacuation from South Africa since the exercise began on June 10, 2026, bringing the total number of Nigerians evacuated so far to 1,821.
The ministry stated that the Federal Government had fully funded the evacuation of 1,388 Nigerians, while other evacuations had received support from organisations and individuals.
The government expressed appreciation to the RCCG, led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, and other groups and individuals who contributed towards assisting Nigerians facing distress abroad.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to diplomatic engagements aimed at addressing concerns over attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.
The ministry advised Nigerians living in South Africa to remain vigilant, obey local laws, and maintain contact with the Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg for consular support when needed.
