Russian authorities have denied allegations that African students, particularly Nigerians, are being coerced into fighting in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine in exchange for visa extensions.
In a statement released on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, the Russian Embassy in Nigeria labeled these reports as “fake news” and asserted that they are entirely unfounded. The Embassy expressed concern that such claims could harm the educational cooperation between Russia and Nigeria.
“The Embassy of the Russian Federation is compelled to emphasize that such news is not only false but also damages Russian-Nigerian educational cooperation by misleading numerous scholarship and grant applicants as well as their partners, who could be extremely concerned by such fakes,” the statement read.
The Embassy further clarified that Nigerian students in Russia are not facing any difficulties in extending their visas while continuing their studies. It noted that no Nigerian student associations in Russia have reported any issues with obtaining the necessary documentation for their stay.
The statement concluded by acknowledging the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official press release on the matter and thanking both the Ministry and the Association of Nigerian Students in Moscow for their efforts to debunk the misleading reports. The Embassy reiterated its commitment to maintaining the positive relationship between Russia and Nigeria in the realm of education.
