Russian Embassy Denounces False Allegations Regarding Nigerian Students.
By Caroline Ameh
In a recent press release obtained by Diplomatic Digest, the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Federal Republic of Nigeria vehemently refuted allegations circulated by certain Nigerian media outlets. These reports, referencing the controversial American news agency “Bloomberg,” accused Russia of coercing African students, particularly those from Nigeria, into military service in exchange for visa extensions.
The Embassy categorically denounced these claims, highlighting the dubious nature of the sources and emphasizing their history of disseminating anti-Russian propaganda. They emphasized that such misinformation not only undermines the strong educational ties between Russia and Nigeria but also misleads potential scholarship and grant applicants.
According to the Embassy, Nigerian students in Russia face no obstacles in extending their visas while pursuing their studies. They cited numerous Nigerian student associations in Russia, which have not reported any instances of coercion or difficulty in obtaining visa extensions.
Furthermore, the Embassy expressed appreciation for the official press release issued by the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which also debunked these false allegations.
They also acknowledged the efforts of the Association of Nigerian Students in Moscow in combating the spread of misinformation aimed at damaging the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Russia and Nigeria.
