The Federal Government has issued a strong security advisory to Nigerians living in the Islamic Republic of Iran and neighbouring Gulf countries following rising military actions in the Middle East.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is closely monitoring the situation after reported strikes by Israel and the United States on targets in Iran, as well as retaliatory actions by Iran in some Gulf countries.
The statement was signed by the spokesperson of the ministry, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the government, the security situation in the region has become tense and unpredictable. As a result, Nigerians in affected countries have been urged to take extra care and remain alert at all times.
“All Nigerians in Iran and affected Gulf countries are advised to remain extremely vigilant and conscious of their surroundings at all times. Avoid areas known to be strategic, military, or government installations, as these could be potential flashpoints,” the statement said.
The advisory affects Nigerians living in Iran as well as those in Gulf countries such as Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
The Federal Government advised Nigerians to avoid unnecessary travel and large gatherings until the situation becomes clearer.
“It is strongly recommended that Nigerians restrict non-essential movement and travel within the country until the security situation becomes clearer and stabilises. Avoid large gatherings and public demonstrations,” the ministry stated.
Citizens were also told to obey all instructions given by local authorities in their host countries. The government stressed that cooperation with local law enforcement is important for personal safety during periods of crisis.
“Citizens are strongly advised to strictly comply with all security and safety directives issued by the local authorities to ensure their safety. Remember that cooperation with local law enforcement is paramount for safety,” the statement added.
Nigeria has a large number of citizens working and studying across the Middle East. Many Nigerians are employed in sectors such as construction, healthcare, oil and gas, domestic services, and education in Gulf countries. Others are students in universities in Iran and other parts of the region.
Over the years, the Nigerian government has had to issue similar travel advisories during times of unrest in foreign countries. In some cases, emergency evacuations have been arranged when conflicts worsened. Officials say the current advisory is a precautionary measure aimed at preventing harm to Nigerian citizens.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured that Nigerian diplomatic missions in the region are on alert. The Nigerian Embassy in Tehran and missions in neighbouring Gulf countries have been directed to provide consular support where necessary.
The government also encouraged Nigerians in the region to maintain regular contact with the nearest Nigerian embassy or consulate and to keep their travel and identification documents safe and updated.
The security advisory follows reports of major military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against targets in Iranian cities on Saturday. Explosions were reported in parts of the capital, Tehran, with smoke seen rising from affected areas.
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, said Washington’s goal was to eliminate what he described as imminent threats from Iran. In a video message, he stated that the US military had begun major combat operations in Iran.
“We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground,” he said.
Israel also described its action as a preventive strike. The Israeli Defence Minister said the operation was aimed at protecting national security interests.
In response, Iran reportedly launched retaliatory actions targeting some locations in Gulf countries, further raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
The growing tension has drawn international concern. The African Union expressed deep worry over the escalation, warning that the conflict could threaten global stability. The European Union also reacted to the development.
President of the European Council, António Costa, said the developments in Iran were greatly concerning and that European leaders were in close contact with partners in the region.
Nigeria itself is an oil-producing nation and depends heavily on crude oil exports for revenue. Past conflicts in the Middle East have led to changes in global oil prices, sometimes benefiting oil-producing countries, but also creating uncertainty in global markets.
For Nigerians living in the affected countries, the immediate concern is safety. Community leaders in the diaspora have urged calm, advising people to stay indoors where necessary and to avoid areas that could become targets.
The Federal Government reiterated that the safety and well-being of Nigerian citizens abroad remain its top priority. It said it would continue to assess the situation and provide updates when necessary.
In addition, Nigeria called on all parties involved in the conflict to reduce tensions and return to dialogue.
“The Federal Government calls on parties involved to de-escalate the crisis by returning to the negotiation table for the interests of global peace and coexistence,” the ministry stated.
Diplomatic experts say dialogue remains the best path to avoid further violence. They note that prolonged conflict in the Middle East could have serious humanitarian and economic consequences beyond the region.
For now, Nigerians in Iran and the Gulf states are being advised to remain calm but alert. The government has assured them that embassies are ready to assist and that further measures will be taken if the security situation worsens.
