FG: Admission offers available from foreign varsities for Nigerians affected by Ukraine war

Gabriel Aduda, permanent secretary of the ministry of foreign affairs, says Nigerians whose studies were disrupted as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war can continue their programmes online or in neighbouring countries.

Aduda said this on Thursday at the 36th session of the state house briefing in Abuja.

TheCable had earlier reported that the Russian government said it was willing to offer admissions to Nigerians interested in continuing their studies.

Speaking on the development, Aduda said Nigeria’s relationship with the warring countries is still “intact”, adding that neighbouring universities had also offered to take in Nigerians who were previously studying in Ukraine.

“Concerning Russia offering admission to Nigerians to study in their universities, one thing we need to understand is that for now, our relations with both Russia and Ukraine are absolutely intact,” he said.

“We have very good diplomatic relations with Ukraine; we have very good diplomatic relations with Russia. And should that offer be put on the table, and we have students that desire to continue, why not?

“Some universities have continued their classes online. But also, some universities in neighbouring countries such as Romania have reached out to us to offer placement to our students who want to continue their studies physically.”

Aduda, however, explained that all admission processing must be done through the Nigerian embassies to ensure that students applying to these schools were previously enrolled into various programmes in Ukraine.

“All processing must be done through the Nigerian missions. That’s the only way these nations can know that the students were in Ukraine,” he said.

“Education desks are being set up in our missions and the government is happy to help get them (students) placement in universities that have offered to help.

“The forms will be available to students. A lot of students are being taken in. In Romania some universities have opened their hostels to Nigerian students fleeing the war to continue their studies.”