The Federal Government of Nigeria has begun evacuating Nigerians stranded in Iran, escorting those willing to leave safely across the border into Armenia as tensions escalate in the Middle East.
Chairperson and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, confirmed the development on Tuesday in a post on X (formerly Twitter). She explained that officials from the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran are coordinating the movement of Nigerians who wish to leave Iran and are ensuring they are safely escorted to the Armenian border.
According to her, the evacuation process is being handled carefully to guarantee smooth and secure passage for those leaving the country. She also reassured Nigerians that no citizen in Iran has been harmed so far despite the ongoing tensions. Embassy officials, she said, remain stationed at the border to receive evacuees and assist them with the necessary arrangements.
The evacuation is seen as a proactive move by the Nigerian government to protect its citizens as the security situation in the region continues to deteriorate.
The crisis began on February 28, 2026, following a series of joint airstrikes by the United States and Israel, code-named Operation Epic Fury, targeting military infrastructure and senior officials in Iran. The strikes reportedly resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, which triggered retaliatory missile and drone attacks across parts of the region.
Although the Nigerian community in Iran is relatively small estimated to be between 500 and 1,500 people, mostly students and traders the Federal Government has been under pressure to provide safe exit options for its citizens.
The conflict has also disrupted global travel, with intermittent closures of airspace across parts of the Middle East affecting major transit hubs such as Dubai International Airport. Several Nigerian travelers passing through the region have reportedly been stranded due to widespread flight cancellations.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and will take all necessary steps to ensure that no Nigerian life is put at risk.
