The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) funded the first batch of 100 Nigerians repatriated from South Africa, with plans to bring 400 more as part of a 500-person humanitarian intervention approved by Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
The first group landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday night, September 24, 2026, after the RCCG paid for their flights from Johannesburg. The exercise follows an appeal from the Nigerian diplomatic mission in South Africa, and at least 500 returnees are expected in total.
First Batch Arrives at Lagos Airport
Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons were at the airport to receive the returnees. Profiling began immediately upon arrival, and a NEMA official confirmed that the returnees would be transported to their respective state capitals once the process was complete.
The returnees received food packs from the RCCG team on arrival. Pastors Amos Emovon, Patrick Uponi, Kate Ojo and Lanre Aiyedun also joined the task force at the airport.
Adeboye Approves Funding After Diplomatic Appeal
Pastor Belemina Obunge, who chairs the RCCG Task Force for the Reception of Nigerian Returnees from South Africa, said the church's General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, personally approved the funding on humanitarian grounds.
"Moved by compassion for Nigerians who were required to return home from South Africa, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, approved the funding of the air transportation of 500 Nigerians from Johannesburg to Lagos. This first batch marks the commencement of that humanitarian intervention, with additional batches expected to follow," Obunge said.
He clarified that the returnees were not chosen on the basis of church membership, and that people of different faiths were included. "They are Muslims, Christians, all religions. And we are intentional in making sure that we have collaborated with the various government agencies," he said.
Church's Role Limited to Funding, Government Handles Reception
The RCCG's role was limited to funding and facilitating the flights. Government agencies are responsible for receiving the returnees, processing their documentation and arranging their movement to their home states.
Obunge said the total number of returnees could exceed 500 slightly, as infants and children were also among those being brought back. He explained that subsequent batches would follow once the Nigerian High Commission and South African Home Affairs authorities completed the necessary documentation for each group.
Church Urges States to Support Reintegration
Obunge called on state governments to be ready to receive their citizens and help them settle back into their communities. "We use this opportunity to urge the states and governments to welcome their people home and see what they can do, as some have already started doing, to assist with the effective reintegration of their people into society," he said.
He also encouraged other religious organisations to follow the RCCG's lead in supporting Nigerians in difficulty abroad, and urged stranded Nigerians in South Africa to visit the Nigerian High Commission for help with their documentation.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Union in South Africa confirmed that Olatunde Olaleye, 40, was killed at a Pretoria bar on September 21, 2026. NUSA president-general Smart Nwobi said a South African national allegedly shot Olaleye following a dispute over a drinking glass. NUSA called on the Nigerian Mission in South Africa to engage diplomatic channels to protect Nigerians in the country.
