Nigerian Students in Russia Appeal to Interior Minister to Ease Poor Visa, Passport Issuance Protocols
By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
Nigerian students studying in Russia have called on the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo to wade into the visa and passport crises rocking the Nigerian Immigration Services in Abuja and Moscow.
They say the situation is threatening their residency and academic programmes overseas.
One of the students, who spoke under anonymity in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital on Monday, lamented that they were advised by the Nigerian Immigration officials in Moscow to return to Nigeria just to renew their passports in Abuja since the machines in Moscow office malfunctioned.
He stated that, since they arrived in July they did everything to get their passports in order to return to school but all effort to process their document were to no avail.
The student claimed this happened after paying for express services in Abuja including cancellation of earlier capture of personal information in Moscow.
“As I speak, school is in session and I am here; a second year Master’s student. I supposed to go back to do my research because, this is my very important year to researches and thesis,” he said.
“The scholarship programme I am under is fully Russian Government scholarship and my school has been calling asking me to send my work. With this type of problem holding me down here, my scholarship is on the line.
“Let the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Ojo help me to get my passport and go back for my studies. I have spent hundreds of thousands of Naira just to come from Russia to process a passport in Nigeria and other charges yet, no result in sight,” he lamented.
But, the Public Relations Officer of Nigerian Immigration Services, Abuja Mr. Ken Udo confirmed to our correspondent that though there was a problem in the issuance of passports in their Moscow office, applicants can now hieve a sigh of relief as all issues surrounding passports and visas have been resolved.
He advised applicants to check back in the office to collect their passports amongst others.
