“Please tell my parents I love them,” read the voice note sent by a Nigerian student in Tel Aviv. The background was filled with sirens, people running, explosions in the distance.
She had gone abroad with hopes of a better life, of a degree, of peace. Now, like hundreds of Nigerians in Israel and Iran, she was just trying to stay alive, and get home.
A War That Spiraled Fast
Eight days into a violent war between Israel and Iran, the world is holding its breath. It began last Friday when Israel launched a pre-emptive strike against Iran, claiming the Islamic Republic was on the brink of developing nuclear weapons. That single move lit a geopolitical match.
In response, Iran launched over 400 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israeli targets. At least 224 people have died in Iran. In Israel, the retaliatory attacks have claimed over 24 lives. Airspaces are restricted, tension is rising, and diplomacy is breaking down.
The United States was expected to resume nuclear talks with Iran just two days before the attack. But that’s off the table now. Iran has pulled out of negotiations, and former President Donald Trump is back in the headlines, demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”
Lost in this political storm are ordinary people, especially Nigerians, who are now trapped in cities they can no longer call safe.
Behind the Headlines Are Nigerian Lives at Risk
From Lagos to Enugu, many Nigerians have family members in Israel and Iran. Some went on religious pilgrimages. Others found work in construction, healthcare, or hospitality. Many more are students chasing degrees in places that, until last week, felt far removed from war.
Now those same people are bunkering down in shelters, sleeping in basements, and living in fear. WhatsApp groups for Nigerians abroad are flooded with desperate messages:
“Has the embassy replied anyone yet?”
“I only have 3 days left on my visa. What if they don’t evacuate me?”
“We’ve been told to wait. But for how long?”
A Familiar Delay
Nigeria says evacuation is coming, but so is the fear of being forgotten
The Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says it’s making arrangements to evacuate citizens. In a statement released Wednesday, they confirmed plans are “almost complete” and evacuations are expected to begin “soon.” But Nigerians have heard that before.
From Ukraine to Sudan, history has taught many to be skeptical. Promises of swift action often stretch into weeks of waiting, bureaucracy, and confusion. Embassies become overwhelmed. Flights get delayed. And some people never make it out.
Evacuation meant to be about urgency, clarity, and trust. And right now, trust is thin.
A Moment to Get It Right
Nigeria’s response could set a new standard, if it moves fast enough, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
Nigeria’s embassies in Tel Aviv and Tehran have been praised for their efforts so far reaching out, coordinating with citizens, and staying responsive. That’s commendable. It’s also proof that when we choose to act fast and smart, we can make a difference.
This crisis is an opportunity to raise the bar for how Nigeria protects its people abroad. It’s a moment to show the world, and ourselves that we don’t abandon our own, even when the conflict isn’t ours.
What Needs to Change
Four ways Nigeria can improve how it protects citizens abroad
So what can be done differently?
Rapid Response Evacuation Fund: A dedicated budget line for situations like this, ready to activate without red tape.
Embassy Emergency Networks: Systems that allow Nigerians abroad to check in, get alerts, and receive verified information in real time.
Digital Registration Platforms: Every Nigerian who travels or relocates abroad should have a way to digitally register with their embassy.
Diaspora Coordination: Partner with Nigerian community leaders abroad to support evacuation logistics and identify vulnerable people quickly.
These steps are essential in a world where conflict can escalate in days and evacuation windows can close in hours.
Will Nigeria Come for You?
Every Nigerian abroad deserves a government that will show up
It’s one thing to condemn war and call for peace, as Nigeria rightly did. It’s another thing to act swiftly when your citizens are in danger. As missiles rain down in foreign cities, the question isn’t whether Nigeria stands for peace. The question is: Will Nigeria show up for its people?
Because whether it’s in the Holy Land or hostile territory, every Nigerian deserves a country that will fight to bring them home.
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