Nigeria has activated a full evacuation plan for citizens stranded across the Middle East amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war.
The Federal Government confirmed it is working out administrative procedures and releasing funds to commence evacuation of Nigerians affected by the crisis in parts of the Middle East.
Nigeria’s evacuation plan Middle East crisis 2026 covers citizens in Iran, Israel, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Jordan.
Thousands of Nigerians stranded by airspace closures and flight suspensions now have a clear government-backed pathway home.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa confirmed this in a statement released in Abuja:
“The government is working out the necessary administrative details and the release of funds to commence evacuation.”
Furthermore, the ministry said its immediate priority is Nigerians in the most vulnerable areas particularly those in Iran and Israel, where the security situation has made evacuation significantly more complicated.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) also confirmed that officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran are coordinating the evacuation of willing Nigerians across the Armenian border to ensure safe passage.
“No Nigerian in Iran has been affected by the war as officials remain at the border to receive all who want to leave.”
BREAKING: Another Nigerian safely leaving Iran via the Armenia border, facilitated by dedicated officials from the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran who have relocated to the border to assist all citizens wishing to depart amid the ongoing tensions.
— Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (@nidcom_gov) March 13, 2026
Process
The evacuation process from Iran involves significant logistical challenges including transporting stranded students from universities across Iran to the Armenian border and meeting entry conditions set by Armenian authorities.
The government is exploring the possibility of deploying Nigerian Air Force aircraft, although the volatile security situation in the region has made securing flights extremely difficult.
Additionally, once Iranian airspace reopens, a multi-agency Federal Government evacuation team on standby will activate repatriation flights immediately.
Dabiri-Erewa said:
“Once the airspace opens, the multi-agency FG team on crisis and evacuation is on standby.”
