Manny Ita –
The Nigerian government has officially released a comprehensive list of emergency contact numbers for citizens residing in or traveling through the Middle East, as regional tensions continue to escalate. Issued through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the advisory aims to provide urgent consular support and safety guidance to Nigerians across several key nations, including Iran, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, and Iraq. The government has urged all affected citizens to register immediately with their nearest diplomatic mission and maintain regular communication to receive timely safety updates and potential evacuation instructions.
Emphasizing the government’s commitment to the welfare of its citizens abroad, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa stated, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform Nigerian nationals in the Middle East that communication channels have been established through the various Nigerian missions in the region.” Ebienfa further advised that Nigerians experiencing distress should “immediately reach out to the designated numbers for assistance and consular support” and strictly comply with all security directives issued by local host authorities to ensure personal safety during this volatile period.
NiDCOM Chairperson, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, echoed these sentiments, stressing that the hotlines were activated to provide a direct, reliable link for citizens as the security situation evolves. The commission has advised Nigerians in the region to “remain vigilant, comply with local safety directives, and maintain close contact with Nigerian embassies and consulates for timely updates and support.” Citizens are encouraged to save the emergency numbers for their respective countries of residence, which are available via official government channels and diplomatic mission websites, and to avoid non-essential travel to high-risk areas or known military flashpoints as the situation persists.
