The Nigerian government says it is intensifying diplomatic engagement and emergency planning to protect Nigerians living in the Middle East following rising tensions in the Gulf region.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the situation is being closely monitored as hostilities escalate involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Head of Crisis Monitoring and Public Communications Division, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said Nigeria’s response was triggered by the rapid escalation of tensions in the Gulf and the potential spillover across the region.
He said Nigerian embassies in Tehran, Tel Aviv, Qatar, Beirut, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have been placed on high alert to monitor developments and provide support to Nigerian nationals where necessary.
According to the ministry, thousands of Nigerians live and work across the Middle East in sectors such as construction, healthcare, aviation, oil and gas, as well as domestic services.
The ministry says it relies on diplomatic intelligence, host country advisories and international monitoring systems to anticipate possible threats to Nigerians abroad.
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Ebienfa also disclosed that an inter-ministerial meeting was convened on Friday with relevant stakeholders to develop a reliable evacuation plan, particularly for Nigerians in Iran who are considered the most vulnerable.
He said there are close to one thousand Nigerians in Iran, most of them students, adding that discussions are ongoing with the Republic of Armenia to facilitate a possible evacuation route.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it operates a crisis response structure to coordinate emergency consular services during international emergencies.
Nigerians residing in the Gulf region have therefore been advised to remain vigilant, comply with security advisories issued by host authorities, maintain regular contact with Nigerian embassies and ensure their travel documents remain valid.
The government reassured that it remains committed to protecting Nigerians wherever they may be while supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Gulf region.
(Editor: Ada Ononye)
