By Ayo Ayodele
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has come under criticism following its reported donation of $265,854, about ₦350 million, towards the evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
American humanitarian Alex Barbir criticised the church and its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, questioning whether a church should be donating such funds to the Federal Government when many Nigerians, particularly Christians affected by violence and displacement, are in need of assistance.
Barbir argued that funds raised through church members’ tithes and offerings should instead be used to directly support vulnerable Nigerians, rebuild communities affected by attacks and provide assistance to displaced families.
“The RCCG pastor literally gave $265,000 as a donation to the Federal Government. Is that the role of the church? To fund the operations of the government?” Barbir asked.
He further criticised the decision against the backdrop of insecurity in parts of Nigeria, alleging that Christian communities had suffered attacks, killings and destruction of homes.
According to Barbir, the money could have been used to rebuild homes and assist victims of violence.
“I ask you, RCCG, how many villages have you helped rebuild in Nigeria? Zero. But instead, you chose to give the money to the Federal Government,” he said.
He also accused the church of failing to sufficiently stand with vulnerable and persecuted Nigerians, arguing that religious organisations should prioritise people facing poverty, displacement and violence.
However, the Federal Government has explained that the RCCG donation was specifically used to support the evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa amid xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.
In a statement signed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Oluwafemi Adeniyi, the government thanked the RCCG for the $265,854 contribution, saying it funded 500 one-way tickets for Nigerians seeking to return home.
The evacuation exercise, which began on June 10, 2026, has so far brought 1,640 Nigerians back from South Africa. The government fully funded the return of 1,385 people, while philanthropic contributions, including the RCCG donation, supported the remaining returnees.
The Ministry described the RCCG’s intervention as an example of how faith-based organisations could complement government efforts in responding to social crises affecting Nigerians abroad.
Another 202 Nigerians were reportedly awaiting final clearance from South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs at the time of the statement, while Nigerian diplomatic missions continued efforts to identify and assist citizens seeking evacuation.
The Federal Government has also appealed for continued support from philanthropists, private organisations and development partners to assist Nigerians affected by the unrest in South Africa.
Barbir’s criticism, therefore, has opened a wider debate about the role of religious organisations in Nigeria: whether their charitable resources should primarily address domestic poverty and insecurity or whether supporting government-led humanitarian interventions, including the evacuation of Nigerians in distress abroad, also falls within their social responsibility.