The Federal Government of Nigeria has outlined measures being taken to safeguard Nigerians living in the Middle East following rising tensions linked to the confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Authorities said the government has activated diplomatic and consular mechanisms to monitor the evolving situation in the Gulf region and ensure the safety of Nigerian nationals.

The update was provided in a statement issued in Abuja by the spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nigeria) and Head of the Crisis Monitoring and Public Communications Division, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.

According to Ebienfa, Nigeria’s response was triggered by the rapid escalation of hostilities in the Gulf and the potential for the conflict to spread across neighbouring countries.

He explained that the government had immediately activated diplomatic channels and consular alert systems to ensure Nigerians in the affected areas receive adequate support.

“Our foreign policy is anchored on dialogue, peaceful resolution of conflicts, and respect for international law,” Ebienfa said.

He added that Nigeria has consistently urged all parties involved in the crisis to exercise restraint and prioritise diplomatic engagement in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter and the Geneva Conventions.

Ebienfa disclosed that Nigerian diplomatic missions across the region have been placed on high alert to closely monitor developments and assist citizens where necessary.

These include Nigerian embassies in Tehran, Tel Aviv, Qatar, Beirut, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

He noted that thousands of Nigerians are currently working across various sectors in the Gulf region, including construction, healthcare, aviation, oil and gas, and domestic services.

Despite the heightened tension, the ministry said there have been no confirmed reports so far of Nigerians directly affected by the unfolding crisis.

“While the situation remains under close watch, there have been no confirmed reports of Nigerians directly affected by the tensions so far,” Ebienfa said.

He explained that Nigeria relies on diplomatic intelligence, host-country advisories and international monitoring systems to assess risks and anticipate potential threats to its citizens abroad.

As part of precautionary measures, the ministry convened an inter-ministerial meeting on Friday involving relevant stakeholders to discuss contingency plans.

The meeting focused particularly on the development of evacuation strategies for Nigerians living in vulnerable areas.

Ebienfa revealed that about 1,000 Nigerians are currently residing in Iran, most of whom are students pursuing their studies in the country.

He said the government is therefore prioritising evacuation arrangements for Nigerians in Iran should the security situation deteriorate further.

According to him, Nigerian authorities are currently engaging with the government of the Armenia to explore possible evacuation routes for citizens who may need to leave Iran.

He added that diplomatic missions are also working to update records of Nigerians residing across the region to ensure effective communication during emergencies.

The ministry has also strengthened communication channels with Nigerian diaspora communities to provide timely security updates and guidance.

Ebienfa explained that the foreign ministry operates a crisis response framework designed to coordinate emergency consular services during international emergencies.

“This structure includes evacuation planning, collaboration with host governments and partnerships with international agencies when necessary,” he said.

He urged Nigerians living in the Middle East to remain vigilant and strictly follow security advisories issued by local authorities.

The ministry also advised citizens to maintain regular contact with Nigerian embassies and ensure their travel and identity documents remain valid at all times.

According to Ebienfa, these precautions would help facilitate quicker assistance should evacuation or emergency intervention become necessary.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad while continuing to support diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions in the Gulf region.

“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 said.

He emphasised that Nigeria would continue to pursue diplomatic solutions while prioritising the welfare and safety of its citizens wherever they may be.

The ministry added that it will continue monitoring developments closely as tensions persist in the Middle East.