The ongoing war between Iran and Israel has started affecting Nigerians both at home and abroad. The rising violence in the Middle East has stopped pilgrimages, disrupted flights, affected oil markets, and caused fear among Nigerians living in the region.
Some members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), a Shiite group founded by Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, have held protests in cities like Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos in support of Iran.
The conflict began after long-standing tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme. The United States and Israel have carried out attacks on Iran, while Iran has responded by firing missiles at Israel and other countries seen as allies of the U.S., including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Jordan.
So far, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, members of his family, and more than 700 Iranians have reportedly died. Nine people have died in Israel, and the United States has lost three soldiers.
Many Nigerians living in countries such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran have contacted their families and Nigerian authorities, asking about possible evacuation plans. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) confirmed receiving distress calls and inquiries from citizens in those areas.
The Commission said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working with relevant agencies and advised Nigerians abroad to follow official travel advice and stay in contact with Nigerian embassies.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), has suspended all pilgrimages to Israel due to the worsening security situation.
The Executive Secretary of the NCPC, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, said the suspension also affects private pilgrimage operators. He explained that the safety of Nigerian pilgrims is the government’s top priority. He also urged Nigerians to pray for peace in Jerusalem and the entire Middle East.
The suspension comes shortly after the 2025 Main Pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan was completed, with the last group of pilgrims arriving safely in Lagos on March 3. The Commission said five successful pilgrimages had been conducted in the past two years.
In addition, several Middle Eastern countries including the UAE, Qatar, Iran, Israel, Iraq, Kuwait, and Syria have closed parts of their airspace because of ongoing air strikes.
This has forced airlines to change routes, cancel flights, and spend more on fuel and operations.
The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) warned that the disruption could reduce airport revenue in Nigeria and affect the wider economy. Its President, Comrade Ben Nnabue, said many Nigerians are stranded in Dubai, Qatar, and other locations due to flight cancellations and reduced schedules.
He noted that aviation is global, and problems in one region can affect others. He expressed hope that peace will return soon so that normal travel and business activities can resume.
