Nigeria TV Info 

US‑Iran War: Nigerians Lose Millions in Dashed Umrah Dreams

LAGOS, Nigeria — Hundreds of Nigerian Muslims have been left stranded and counting millions of naira in losses as the escalating US‑Iran war disrupts global travel and forces airlines to cancel flights to the Middle East, upending plans to perform Umrah during the holy month of Ramadan.

The conflict — triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — has prompted retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Tehran across the region, leading to widespread airspace closures in countries such as Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Many intending pilgrims from Nigeria had already paid for flight tickets, visas and hotel accommodation in Mecca and Medina before the cancellations. They were due to depart between March 4 and 6, but found themselves unable to travel after carriers including Emirates and Qatar Airways suspended services amid the turmoil.

One group from Kwara State, including a local government chairman, reported paying roughly 12,500 Riyal (~₦5 million) for hotel stays in Mecca, with additional thousands spent on Medina accommodation. Many travellers now face the expiry of their visas without the chance to undertake the pilgrimage.

Individual losses have been steep. A businessman in Osogbo said he and his wife spent over ₦13 million on the trip before being stranded by flight cancellations. Travel agents are seeking refunds or rescheduling options, but many airlines are only offering rescheduled tickets, not refunds.

For some, the disruption carries broader consequences: an Ibadan cleric and family postponed their spiritual journey after repeated flight cancellations, while others fear long‑term setbacks to their business plans and seasonal preparations, such as shopping ahead of Sallah.

The travel chaos reflects a wider aviation impact: Nigeria‑linked carriers are estimated to have lost billions of naira in revenue as flights remain grounded, affecting passengers and associated industries like catering and airport services.

With the war showing no immediate sign of de‑escalation, many Nigerian pilgrims say they are left in limbo — spiritually disappointed and financially out of pocket — as what was meant to be a sacred trip turns into a costly casualty of international conflict.