No case of Nigerian students enlisted in Ukraine war – FG

• Published On: 11 June 2024 at 21:17

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has categorically denied accusations that Nigerian students in Russia were pushed into joining the ongoing conflict with Ukraine in exchange for visa extensions.

According to Bloomberg, Russia allegedly attempted to recruit thousands of migrants and foreign students to supplement its forces in the battle against Ukraine, employing techniques similar to those used by the Wagner mercenary group.

According to European authorities, the Kremlin threatened not to extend visas for African students and young workers unless they agreed to join the military.

Yevgeny Primakov, the director of Rossotrudnichestvo, an organization dedicated to spreading Russian knowledge overseas, estimates that there are approximately 35,000-37,000 African students in Russia.


Responding to these charges, On June 10, 2024, various Nigerian media outlets claimed that the Ministry has denounced them as "false and misleading."
Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, the ministry's spokesperson, stated on Tuesday that there have been no reports of Nigerian or other African students being drafted into the fight.

The ministry asked media outlets to conduct due diligence in confirming information before making it available to the public.


"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been alerted to news articles published by several Nigerian media outlets on Monday, June 10, 2024, informing the public that the Russian government is enticing Nigerian and other African students to participate in the ongoing war with Ukraine with the promise of visa renewal.

"The Ministry wishes to inform." The Nigerian Embassy in Moscow is in frequent contact with the executives of the Nigerian Students Association in Moscow, Russia, and there has been no documented case of recruitment of Nigerian or other African students to participate in the aforementioned war.

"The newspaper reports are, therefore, false and misleading and should be ignored. The Ministry wishes to take this opportunity to urge media outlets to practice due diligence in their area of duty by confirming material before disclosing it to the public."