The Federal Government on Thursday said, despite the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the nation’s relationship with both countries are “very good diplomatic relations”.
Federal Government which said that Nigeria is a non- aligned nation stressed that the nation will be willing to take up offers that would benefit her citizens.
The Federal Goverment further stressed that as far as Nigeria is concerned, the human rights accusations against Russia are mere allegations.
The Government stressed that the investigation was already ongoing adding that Nigeria felt the outcome should have been awaited before the vote.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gabriel Aduda, disclosed this at the 36th Session of the State House briefings at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He stated that the country does not regret her absence from voting to suspend Russia from the Uniter Nations human rights council over allegations of gross human rights violations in Ukraine.
It would be recalled that Russia warned countries at the UN that a “YES Vote or Abstention” on a U.S. push to suspend the country from the Human Rights Council will be viewed as an “unfriendly gesture” with consequences for bilateral ties.
Aduda, said Nigerians who wish to continue their studies should go on without interruption.
He said: “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.
“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’ll have students that desire to continue, why not?”
According to him, Nigerian students whose programmes were interrupted by the Russia-Ukraine Conflict would continue their studies online and physically in other Universities, who have offered admission to such students who May wish to continue elsewhere.
He observed that apart from Universities who have begun virtual classes, since the conflict started, other universities in neighbouring states (with similar curricular to Ukraine’s) have offered Nigerian students admission to complete their studies.
Aduda stated that all admission processing must be through Nigerian Missions, as that would be the surest way to confirm that the interested students were already admitted into various programmes in Ukraine.
“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.
“However, all processing must be done through that Nigerian Missions. That’s the only way these nations can know that the students were in Ukraine.
“Education desks are being set up in our missions and the government is happy to help get them (students) get 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.” He disclosed.
Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, in his response said that Nigeria doesn’t regret abstaining from voting on the allegation of human rights abuse against Russia.