The Federal Government has initiated plans to evacuate Nigerians stranded across parts of the Middle East as tensions continue to rise in the region. Officials say key arrangements, including administrative procedures and funding approvals, are being concluded to ensure the safe return of affected citizens.
The decision follows growing insecurity linked to recent missile and drone attacks associated with Iran, which have disrupted travel and heightened safety concerns across several Gulf states. The situation escalated after coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran in late February.
Speaking on Monday, Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa confirmed that preparations are underway, noting that authorities are working through necessary logistics while securing funds to begin the evacuation process.
Nigerians in countries including Iran, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar have been impacted, with many facing flight cancellations and movement restrictions.
Officials say priority will be given to citizens in high-risk zones, particularly Iran and Israel, where conditions remain volatile. However, evacuating Nigerians from Iran presents logistical challenges, such as transporting students to the Armenian border and meeting entry requirements for safe passage.
The government is also considering multiple evacuation options, including the possible deployment of Nigerian Air Force aircraft, although security risks remain a significant concern.
In Qatar, many affected Nigerians are transit passengers whose journeys were disrupted. Authorities say airlines are assisting, and travel is gradually resuming. Qatar Airways has restarted flights to Nigeria, including the Doha–Lagos route, offering hope for stranded passengers. Some Nigerians have also been rerouted through cities like Cairo and Nairobi.
Meanwhile, officials in the United Arab Emirates reported that several missiles and drones launched from Iran were intercepted earlier in March. The attacks caused casualties, with six fatalities and more than 140 injuries, including a Nigerian who has since received treatment and been discharged.
Amid the crisis, Iran’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Gholamreza Raja, expressed his country’s willingness to support evacuation efforts. He said Iran is cooperating with Nigerian authorities and has kept its land borders open for foreign nationals seeking to leave.
He added that the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran is actively assisting citizens, many of whom are students and small business operators, though the exact number of Nigerians in Iran remains unclear due to unregistered residents and frequent movement.
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safe return of all affected Nigerians as evacuation efforts continue to take shape.
