FG Activates Evacuation Plans for Nigerians Stranded in Middle East Amid Iran Tensions

The Federal Government has activated comprehensive arrangements to evacuate Nigerians trapped in parts of the Middle East as regional insecurity escalates.

NaijaChoice News reports that administrative processes and funding approvals are now at advanced stages to guarantee the safe repatriation of affected citizens.

This follows intensified missile and drone attacks linked to Iran, which have crippled air travel and heightened safety risks across Gulf nations. The situation worsened after coordinated United States and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, triggering retaliatory actions that closed airspaces and disrupted movements.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa confirmed the developments on Monday, stating that the government is fast-tracking all necessary procedures while ensuring funds are released to kick-start operations.

“Nigerians in countries such as Iran, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar have been badly affected, with many facing flight cancellations and restricted movement,” he explained.

Priority, officials said, will go to those in high-risk zones, especially Iran and Israel, where volatility remains extreme. Evacuation from Iran presents unique logistical hurdles, including moving students and other citizens to the Armenian border while meeting entry protocols.

The government is weighing several options, including the possible deployment of Nigerian Air Force aircraft, though security considerations continue to pose challenges.

NaijaChoice News further gathered that evacuation from Iran has already commenced for willing citizens. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) confirmed that embassy officials in Tehran are escorting nationals safely across the Armenian border, where support teams are stationed to receive them. No Nigerian casualties have been recorded in Iran so far, and the exact number of affected citizens remains unclear due to unregistered residents and frequent travel for studies and religious activities.

In Qatar, many stranded Nigerians are transit passengers whose journeys were interrupted. Airlines are providing support, and travel is gradually normalising. Qatar Airways has resumed some services to Nigeria, including the Doha-Lagos route, offering relief to passengers who can now return home. Others have been rerouted through Cairo and Nairobi.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates reported intercepting Iranian missiles and drones earlier this month. The attacks claimed six lives and injured over 140 people, including a Nigerian who received treatment and has since been discharged.

Iran’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Gholamreza Raja, has pledged his country’s full cooperation with Nigerian authorities. He disclosed that Iran’s land borders remain open for foreign nationals wishing to exit and that the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran is actively assisting students and small business operators on the ground.

The Federal Government has reassured all affected Nigerians of its unwavering commitment to their safety and swift return home as evacuation operations unfold. Families back in Nigeria have been urged to remain calm while authorities monitor the situation closely and update the public regularly.