Nigeria played a pivotal role in the safe evacuation of infants from war-ravaged Gaza, ensuring they received critical medical care in Jordan, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has revealed.
Speaking at the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Tuggar disclosed that the Red Cross had sought Nigeria’s assistance in relocating some of the most vulnerable children, many of whom were in dire medical condition.
However, due to the fragile state of the infants and the risks associated with long-haul travel, Nigeria opted for a different approach.
“The Red Cross reached out, asking if Nigeria could take in some of the Gaza infants. While we were deeply concerned, we had to weigh the risks—some of these babies were born with heart conditions. Flying them such a long distance could have been fatal, especially given our own healthcare limitations,” Tuggar explained.
Instead, Nigeria leveraged its diplomatic ties, reaching out to the governments of Jordan, Egypt, and the UAE, urging them to provide medical treatment for the children.
“We engaged with the Foreign Ministers of these countries, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Thankfully, they agreed, and the infants are now receiving the care they desperately need,” he added.
Tuggar emphasized that Nigeria’s intervention aligns with its policy of “strategic autonomy,” allowing it to pursue diplomatic solutions based on humanitarian concerns and national interests.
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