The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has clarified reports regarding evacuation plans for Nigerians in the Middle East amid rising regional tensions.
The Commission said its attention has been drawn to a statement credited to the Commission Spokesman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, claiming that there are no distress calls from Nigerians stranded in the region due to the ongoing crisis. “I never issued such statement, he said”.
On the contrary, NIDCOM confirmed that it has received calls from a few Nigerians in Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Iran, seeking information about preparations for evacuations if necessary. The Commission noted that “several Nigerians have reached out for guidance,” seeking clarification on whether the Federal Government has plans to evacuate citizens should the situation escalate.
As of Tuesday, the 3rd of March, 2026, NIDCOM explained that evacuation may be challenging at the moment due to flight restrictions and security concerns, but emphasized that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working with all relevant agencies to take appropriate steps. The Commission urged Nigerians in the affected countries to follow travel advice issued by the Ministry and to use the emergency contact numbers provided.
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The agency reassured citizens that the Federal Government is closely monitoring the situation, stating that “Nigerians in affected countries should be rest assured that the federal government is monitoring the situation and would take necessary steps to ensure no Nigerian life is endangered.”
NIDCOM also encouraged Nigerians to stay calm, remain in safe locations, and maintain regular contact with Nigerian embassies for updates and guidance as the situation develops.