Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar says the federal government has engaged the government of Armenia to evacuate Nigerians stranded in Iran, as regional tensions escalate, reports Ripples Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Saturday, June 21, 2025, and reported by Sahara Reporters, Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry confirmed it reached out to Armenia to coordinate evacuation efforts for its citizens in Iran. The Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, also addressed what it called “misleading and unfounded” media reports alleging that officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran had abandoned their nationals.
“The Embassy of Nigeria in Tehran remains operational and fully committed to the welfare and safety of all Nigerian nationals in Iran. In response to the developments, the Embassy is actively engaging with the Government of Armenia to secure access for the evacuation of Nigerians via Yerevan,” the Nigerian Foreign Ministry said.
Armenia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the cooperation, stating that it has provided similar support to many other countries.
According to Armenian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ani Badalyan, Armenia’s embassies in Israel and Iran have been in regular contact with Armenian citizens and have provided them with needed support.
Fifteen Armenian citizens have contacted the embassy in Israel, receiving requested information, and approximately 20 have already been evacuated — including a group of tourists in Bethlehem who were relocated to Egypt.
In Iran, around 30 Armenian citizens have reached out to the embassy, primarily regarding repatriation. The embassy has provided relevant information and, when necessary, tailored practical support.
Armenia’s Foreign Ministry has also received requests to assist in the evacuation of foreign nationals from Iran via Armenia, including diplomatic staff and their families. The Ministry has facilitated visa procedures and continues to work closely with other Armenian state bodies and international organizations to ensure humanitarian coordination.
One notable case involved the evacuation of Indian students, organized through cooperation between the foreign ministers of Armenia and India.
Armenia has also extended swift support to citizens of Kazakhstan, France, Germany, Spain, Cyprus, Austria, Norway, Switzerland, Georgia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
With airspace restrictions and rising instability in the region, Armenia’s diplomatic neutrality and geographic location have made it an essential corridor for international evacuation missions. Despite its small size, Armenia has steadily positioned itself as a reliable humanitarian actor, offering safe transit and support not only to its own citizens but also to vulnerable foreign nationals caught in regional crises. Foreign nationals from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, China, Russia, Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Australia, and Lebanon have also transited through Armenia as part of ongoing humanitarian coordination efforts.
