By Omonu YG Nelson
An anonymous Russian official has dismissed allegations that Russia is conscripting Nigerian and African students to fight in the war against Ukraine. The official described the claims as “preposterous” and “ridiculous”.
The allegations, which surfaced in a Bloomberg report, suggested that Russia was threatening to withhold visa renewals from foreign students, including Nigerians, unless they joined the military. European officials claimed that Russia was using coercive tactics to recruit Africans and other foreign nationals.
The Official countered that the education of Nigerian students in Russia is based on a bilateral agreement between the two countries. She further clarified that Russia does not send foreign students to Ukraine or anywhere else, and that the lists of all students are agreed upon by the governments of Russia and Nigeria.
She also emphasised that students’ visas are extended based on their academic performance, and that those who study poorly are expelled and sent back to Nigeria.
Yevgeny Primakov, head of Rossotrudnichestvo, revealed that about 6,500 students from Africa study in Russia for free every year, with 35,000-37,000 African students currently in Russia.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, Spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “The newspaper reports are, therefore, false and misleading and should therefore be disregarded” ².
The Ministry appealed to media outlets to exercise due diligence in verifying information before releasing it to the public.