In response to a report that they are being forced to fight alongside Russian forces in the conflict in Ukraine in exchange for their visas being renewed, the Russian Embassy in Nigeria has refuted the allegations.
According to an article published by the American international media outlet Bloomberg, Russia has decided not to renew the visas of African young workers and students unless they choose to enlist in its armed forces and fight against Ukraine.
However, the report has been refuted by the Russian Embassy, which has called it fake news.
The Russian and Nigerian friendship and collaboration are intended to be undermined, according to a statement released by the embassy on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.
No student has verified the claim, but the statement claimed that Nigerian students studying in Russia have no trouble extending their visas.
According to the statement, “The Russian Federation’s Embassy is obliged to emphasize that such news is not only untrue but also harms the educational cooperation between Russia and Nigeria by deceiving a large number of scholarship and grant applicants as well as their partners, who may be deeply alarmed by such fakes.”
According to the Embassy, extending a student’s visa to continue their studies in Russia presents no challenges for Nigerian students. Several associations representing Nigerian students in Russia have not experienced any problems getting the paperwork they need to stay in the nation.
The Embassy thanks the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Association of Nigerian Students in Moscow for their efforts in dispelling false information that aims to damage the relationship and collaboration between Russia and Nigeria. It also welcomes the Ministry’s official press release on the subject.
Additionally, the Federal Government rejected the study, calling it “false and misleading.”
The spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, stated in a statement on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, that there have been no documented instances of Nigerian or other African students being recruited to fight in the war.
The Ministry also urged media organizations to do their jobs with appropriate diligence by confirming the facts before making it available to the public.
