Nigeria’s Federal Government has published emergency contact lines for its diplomatic missions across the Middle East to support citizens who may be affected by the rising tensions in the region.
The announcement was made in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria and conveyed through a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the ministry, the emergency contact numbers are intended to help Nigerians living in or travelling through the Middle East quickly reach Nigerian embassies and consulates as the security situation worsens amid the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Meanwhile, officials explained that the contact list covers Nigerian diplomatic missions in ten countries within the region that could be impacted by the ongoing hostilities.
Citizens were encouraged to stay in touch with the closest Nigerian mission and ensure they are properly registered with the embassy or consulate in their country of residence.
The ministry emphasised that maintaining updated communication with Nigerian missions would enable authorities to offer timely assistance to nationals in case of emergencies.
Emergency Contacts for Nigerian Missions
The government released the following contact details for Nigerians who may require urgent assistance:
1. Embassy of Nigeria, Tehran (Iran): +98 937 685 1897; +98 933 951 5348; +98 930 972 9965; +234 906 768 4063
2. Embassy of Nigeria, Tel Aviv (Israel): +972 547 115279; +234 706 4263944
3. Embassy of Nigeria, Abu Dhabi (UAE): +971 56 884 4130
4. Consulate-General, Dubai (UAE): +971 56 377 8678
5. Embassy of Nigeria, Kuwait (also covering Bahrain): +965 9789 5737; +965 9950 9288
6. Embassy of Nigeria, Doha (Qatar): +974 3019 7102; +974 3019 7261
7. Embassy of Nigeria, Beirut (Lebanon): +961 78 861 779; +234 803 8954425
8. Embassy of Nigeria, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia): +966 542149456; +966 565695763
9. Consulate-General, Jeddah (Saudi Arabia): +966 56 096 5633
10. Embassy of Nigeria, Amman (Jordan – also covering Iraq): +962 777 369428; +962 776 594020
Authorities reiterated that Nigerians in these countries should register with their respective missions to ensure they can receive updates and emergency support if the situation deteriorates.
Missions on High Alert
Earlier, the Nigerian government issued a security advisory to citizens living in or travelling across Iran and several Gulf states as tensions intensified across the region.
The ministry disclosed that Nigerian diplomatic missions in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have been placed on heightened alert to provide consular services to Nigerians who may require assistance.
NiDCOM Addresses Online Claims
Meanwhile, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) dismissed reports circulating online suggesting that Nigerians residing in Iran had not issued distress calls despite the escalating conflict.
The clarification came in a statement signed by the commission’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
Background to the Crisis
Regional tensions surged following reports that joint airstrikes allegedly carried out by Israel and the United States resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
In response, authorities in Tehran reportedly launched retaliatory strikes targeting U.S.-linked assets and strategic facilities across the Middle East.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, recently revealed that roughly 12,000 Nigerians currently live in the United Arab Emirates.
The Middle East remains a major destination for Nigerian religious travellers. Christian pilgrims frequently visit Israel, while Muslim pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia for religious obligations.
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However, Nigerian authorities previously suspended pilgrimages to Israel and the occupied West Bank due to the growing security concerns linked to the unfolding crisis.