The Federal Government said it has activated administrative procedures and will release funds to begin evacuation of Nigerians affected by the worsening crisis in parts of the Middle East, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson said.
Escalating regional tensions in the Middle East have led to security concerns and disruptions to travel and normal life in several countries, including Iran, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said evacuations are being organised in response to these developments, with particular focus on Nigerian nationals who may be at risk due to the crisis dynamics.
Spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa told The PUNCH that the government is completing necessary administrative arrangements and will release funds to begin evacuation operations for Nigerians in affected areas.
He said the immediate priority is Nigerians in vulnerable locations, especially those in Iran and Israel, where conditions have made evacuation more complicated.
The ministry previously said that moving stranded Nigerians from Iran involves logistical challenges, including transporting students from universities to neighbouring borders to facilitate safe exit from areas of heightened tensions.
Ebienfa also noted that Qatar Airways has resumed flights from Doha to Lagos, and that operations via alternative routes such as Cairo, Egypt, and Nairobi, Kenya, have included some Nigerians, indicating ongoing movement of affected citizens back to Nigeria.
The ministry said most Nigerians in Qatar were transit passengers whose flights were disrupted but are being assisted by their airlines.
Activating the evacuation plan reflects government efforts to respond to evolving security dynamics in the Middle East and ensure the safety of Nigerian nationals abroad.
The process underscores the challenges of managing evacuations from conflict‑affected regions, especially where airspace disruptions and operational hazards exist.
