The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has assured Nigerians stranded in Iran and Qatar that evacuation efforts will commence as soon as it is safe for flights to operate in the region.
Dabiri-Erewa made the assurance in response to a plea on social media from a Nigerian seeking assistance to leave Qatar amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. She stated clearly:
“Once the airspace is safe to fly, you will be evacuated.”
The NiDCOM Chairperson further confirmed that Nigerians willing to leave Iran are already being escorted across the Armenian border by embassy officials. She emphasized that, despite the ongoing conflict, no Nigerian in Iran has been affected by the hostilities.
The evacuations are being organized in the wake of intensifying hostilities following a series of US-Israeli airstrikes on February 28, 2026, which resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and triggered retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the region.
While the Nigerian community in Iran is relatively small, primarily composed of students and traders, the government has faced pressure to provide safe exit routes. Intermittent airspace closures in Qatar, the UAE, and surrounding regions have left hundreds of Nigerian travelers stranded.
“The Federal Government is monitoring the situation and will take all necessary steps to ensure no Nigerian life is endangered,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in an official statement, highlighting the government’s commitment to the safety of its citizens abroad.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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