Russia Denies Forcing Nigerian Students Into War

 The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has categorically denied allegations of pressuring African students, especially Nigerians, to join the ongoing conflict in Ukraine in return for visa extensions.

These claims have earler been reported on Monday, suggesting that Russia was attempting to recruit thousands of migrants and foreign students to bolster its forces in the Ukraine conflict, using strategies akin to those of the Wagner mercenary group.

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European officials have reportedly evaluated this situation, alleging that the Kremlin was refusing to extend visas for African students and young workers unless they consented to military service.

Yevgeny Primakov, the Head of Rossotrudnichestvo, an organization dedicated to promoting knowledge about Russia overseas, estimated that there are currently between 35,000 and 37,000 African students in Russia.

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However, the embassy has dismissed these reports as baseless and false news, highlighting the potential harm such misinformation could cause to the educational cooperation between Russia and Nigeria.

According to the embassy’s statement, no Nigerian student associations in Russia have verified these allegations. It is reported that Nigerian students encounter no issues in extending their visas while studying in Russia.

The embassy praised the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Association of Nigerian Students in Moscow for their efforts in refuting the false claims. It also reiterated its commitment to nurturing friendship and cooperation between Russia and Nigeria.

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The statement read, “The Embassy of the Russian Federation is compelled to emphasise 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 Embassy states that Nigerian students face no difficulties in extending their visas while continuing their studies in Russia. Numerous associations of Nigerian students in Russia have not reported any issues in obtaining the necessary documentation to continue their stay in the country. "

"The Embassy welcomes the official press release of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this matter and expresses gratitude to the Ministry and the Association of Nigerian Students in Moscow for their efforts in debunking the fake news aimed at undermining the friendship and cooperation between Russia and Nigeria.”