The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to diplomacy and the protection of Nigerians abroad following rising tensions in the Gulf region linked to the confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Head of the Crisis Monitoring and Public Communications Division, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, made this known while speaking on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Kapital FM.
Ebienfa said Nigeria’s diplomatic response was triggered by the rapid escalation of hostilities in the Gulf and the potential spillover effects across the region.
According to him, the Federal Government has activated diplomatic channels and consular alert mechanisms to safeguard Nigerians living in countries affected by the tensions.
“Our foreign policy is anchored on dialogue, peaceful resolution of conflicts and respect for international law,” Ebienfa said. “Nigeria has consistently urged all parties involved in the crisis to exercise restraint and pursue diplomatic engagement in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter and the Geneva Conventions.”
He explained that Nigerian embassies across the region — including those 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.
Ebienfa noted that thousands of Nigerians live and work across the Gulf region in sectors such as construction, healthcare, aviation, oil and gas, and domestic services.
“While the situation remains under close watch, there have been no confirmed reports of Nigerians directly affected by the tensions so far,” he stated.
He added that Nigeria relies on a combination of diplomatic intelligence, host country advisories and international monitoring systems to anticipate potential threats to its citizens abroad.
The Ministry’s spokesperson also disclosed that an inter-ministerial meeting was held on Friday with relevant stakeholders to develop a reliable evacuation plan, particularly for Nigerians in Iran who are considered the most vulnerable.
According to him, about 1,000 Nigerians are currently in Iran, most of whom are students. He revealed that the Nigerian mission is already holding discussions with the Republic of Armenia on possible evacuation arrangements.
Ebienfa further explained that the Ministry is working through its embassies and consulates to maintain updated records of Nigerians residing in the region, strengthen communication with diaspora communities and provide timely security advisories.
He also revealed that the Ministry operates a crisis response structure that coordinates emergency consular services during international emergencies.
“This structure includes evacuation planning, collaboration with host governments and partnerships with international agencies when necessary,” he said.
The Ministry has therefore advised Nigerians residing in the Gulf region to remain vigilant, adhere strictly to security advisories issued by local authorities, maintain regular contact with Nigerian embassies and ensure their travel and identity documents remain valid.
Ebienfa reassured that the Federal Government remains committed to protecting Nigerians wherever they may be, while continuing to support diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Gulf.
“The unfolding crisis shows that foreign policy decisions go beyond diplomatic negotiations, as they directly affect Nigerians working abroad, their families at home and the nation’s global standing,” he added.
