The Federal Government has disclosed that 202 Nigerians are currently awaiting final screening by South African authorities before they are evacuated back to Nigeria following renewed xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the disclosure while expressing appreciation to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for donating $265,854 to support the evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
According to the ministry, the donation will fund the purchase of 500 one-way air tickets for Nigerians seeking to return home.
The Federal Government said its High Commission in Pretoria and Consulate General in Johannesburg remain open and continue to work with Nigerian community associations and other established channels to identify and assist citizens who wish to leave South Africa because of the attacks.
1,640 Nigerians already brought home
The ministry disclosed that the Federal Government began the ongoing evacuation exercise on June 10, 2026, following a new wave of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
Since the exercise began, 1,640 Nigerian nationals have been evacuated to Nigeria.
Of the figure, the Federal Government fully sponsored the return of 1,385 Nigerians, while the evacuation of another 255 citizens was supported through philanthropic donations.
The ministry said the RCCG’s latest contribution would further strengthen the ongoing evacuation programme and help distressed Nigerians return home safely.
FG engages South African authorities
The Federal Government said it is continuing diplomatic engagement with South African authorities over concerns surrounding xenophobia and Afrophobia against Nigerians and other African nationals.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the welfare and interests of Nigerians living abroad, in line with the foreign policy priorities of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
The ministry referenced 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, 2026, where he expressed concern over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa and called for urgent collective action.
FG welcomes support from RCCG
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the RCCG’s donation as a demonstration of compassion and solidarity with Nigerians facing difficult circumstances in South Africa.
It also said the partnership between government institutions and faith-based organisations, philanthropists and other stakeholders could play an important role in addressing challenges affecting Nigerians in the diaspora.
With 202 Nigerians still awaiting final screening, the government said the evacuation process remains ongoing as it continues to work with relevant South African authorities to facilitate their return to Nigeria.
