As dozens of countries race to evacuate their citizens from war-torn Israel and Iran, over 1,000 Nigerians remain stranded, awaiting action from the Federal Government.
Governments from the United States, China, Germany, Greece, and several European nations have already pulled out their nationals through land, sea, and air routes. Some evacuees even crossed borders on foot to reach safer territory.
China alone has evacuated over 1,600 citizens from Iran and hundreds more from Israel.
By contrast, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria’s evacuation efforts remain stalled as it awaits final clearance from Armenian authorities to transport stranded citizens out of Iran.
Speaking to PUNCH, ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran had arranged buses to ferry evacuees to Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, where planes would be waiting to return them home. But the Armenian government had yet to approve border access.
“The Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy met officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Armenia… We’re awaiting permission from the transit country before moving,” Ebienfa explained.
He said updated passenger lists had already been submitted to Iranian officials to facilitate a smooth crossing and avoid delays.
Meanwhile, back in Israel, daily life has ground to a halt. All schools, markets, places of worship, and public spaces remain closed. The economic toll on Nigerians has been devastating.
“In Israel, rent is paid monthly, and wages are calculated hourly. With everything shut down, there’s no income. We’re afraid. We don’t know how we’ll feed our children or pay rent,” said a Nigerian engineer living in Jerusalem.
He also criticised the embassy’s limited engagement, saying it had shown no concern for Nigerians’ welfare beyond visa and passport services.
“There’s an announcement that everything may reopen on Sunday. But that depends on whether Iran continues its bombardment. For now, we don’t sleep at night—that’s when the missiles come.”
Back in Nigeria, frustration is mounting. A woman identified as Hope Omobeauty told Travels Vlog that her relatives in Israel were desperately seeking a way out, but no help was forthcoming.
“I have people in Israel who are trying to leave, but there is no way,” she said.
As the war grinds on, the safety of hundreds of Nigerians remains uncertain—with hopes pinned on the long-awaited clearance from Armenia.
