The Federal Government has indicated its readiness to facilitate admission of Nigerian students, who were displaced by the ongoing war in Ukraine, into Nigerian tertiary institutions in order to continue their studies.

While  the government was not elaborate as to whether the affected students will be admitted into private universities, DIPLOMATIC DIARY reports that academic activities across federal Universities in Nigeria have been grounded since February 14, 2022, due to the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The Russian invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, February 24, triggered major threats to Nigerian students in the beleaguered Ukraine as they fled back home in their hundreds.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had on April 28, said that about 1531 students were evacuated back to Nigeria through Air Peace, Max Air, Azman and Turkish airlines.

The population of Nigerians in Ukraine is estimated at 8,000 out of which 5635 are registered students, the ministry had said.

However, a statement issued on Monday by the spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca K. Omayuli (Mrs), directed the  returnees who are interested in continuing their studies in Nigeria to access https://www.foreignaffairs.gov.ng and complete their registration.

The statement read: “The Federal Government of Nigeria wishes to inform Nigerian students who returned from Ukraine following the conflict in that country, that efforts are being made to facilitate their placement into various Nigerian tertiary institutions, to enable them continue their studies.

“In this connection, Interested students should visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: https://www.foreignaffairs.gov.ng and complete the online Nigerian Student in Ukraine (NSU) registration form with the required information on or before 15th July, 2022.”