Nigerians Stranded in Qatar as NIDCOM Evacuation Efforts Falter Amid US-Iran Conflict
Nigerians have been left stranded in Qatar for over nine days as the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), led by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, fails to execute evacuation plans amidst the escalating US-Iran war. The crisis has halted flights in the region, trapping travelers, including families, who were transiting through Doha en route to the United Kingdom via Qatar Airways.
Social Media Outcry Highlights Desperation
A Nigerian woman took to social media platform X on March 9, 2026, to share the plight of her family and other Nigerians stuck in Qatar. In her post, she expressed helplessness, noting that while other countries have successfully evacuated their citizens, there has been no positive response from Nigerian authorities. She stated, "Never been this helpless before in my life. 9 days stuck in Qatar with my family and other Nigerians who were on transit, countries have picked up their citizens from here it’s mostly Nigerians that are left! We have called the Embassy and Consulate yet no positive response."
In a follow-up thread, she added that Nigerians cannot obtain temporary visas to neighboring Saudi Arabia, even with valid UK visas, due to diplomatic limitations. "Every Nigerian here just feels helpless, the passport can’t even get us a Saudi visa! to at least leave from here, once you click Nigerian it stops even with a UK visa. This situation is a highly diplomatic situation but we seem to not have strong diplomatic relations," she lamented.
Flight Suspensions and Airspace Closures
The situation worsened when Qatar Airways announced the temporary suspension of its flights on February 28, 2026, following the closure of Qatari airspace due to regional tensions sparked by US and Israeli attacks on Iran. The airline confirmed via X that operations were halted until further notice, leaving passengers stranded.
On March 8, Qatar Airways announced a limited operational corridor for select flights to European countries for passengers with final destinations there, but regular schedules remain suspended. This has left Nigerians reliant on NIDCOM for evacuation, with no clear timeline provided.
NIDCOM's Response and Diplomatic Gaps
NIDCOM recently shared emergency hotlines for Nigerians affected by the Iran-Israel war, as posted by Abike Dabiri-Erewa on March 6, 2026. However, the commission has not specified when evacuation will begin for each country in the region, despite confirming receipt of distress calls.
The lack of a Nigerian Ambassador in Qatar has been cited as a key factor in the delayed evacuation strategy. With the recent appointment of former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu as envoy to Qatar, stranded Nigerians hope for a swift resolution, but current efforts remain insufficient.
Broader Implications and Calls for Action
This incident underscores broader issues in Nigeria's diplomatic and emergency response capabilities. As the US-Iran war continues to disrupt travel and safety in the Middle East, the failure to evacuate citizens promptly raises concerns about NIDCOM's effectiveness and Nigeria's international relations.
Stranded Nigerians urge immediate action from the government to coordinate with international partners and secure safe passage, emphasizing the need for robust crisis management in volatile regions.
