Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia, Abdullahi Shehu, has appealed to the host authorities to reconsider Nigerians studying in the country but were banned from returning due to COVID-19.

The appeal is contained in a statement issued by the Nigerian Embassy in Moscow on Sunday.

Mr Shehu, who appealed to the host country during a visit to Russian People’s Friendship University (RUDN), urged the authorities to aid the students now stranded in Nigeria.

The purpose of the visit was to discuss bilateral education and scientific cooperation between Nigeria and Russia and the welfare of Nigerian students in the university.

The envoy appealed the ban on Nigerian students returning to Russia due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing out that some of the students are now stranded in Nigeria.

He appealed to the school’s Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Larisa Efremova, to begin online classes to cater to those who could not return to continue physical classes.

The Ambassador also appealed to the university to give special consideration to Nigerian students who may have difficulty paying their fees on time.

While receiving the Nigerian Envoy, Ms Efremova highlighted the excellent records of Nigerian students, who are mainly in the medical and engineering field.

She said that qualified Nigerians would continue to study at the university through the bilateral cooperation agreement between Nigeria and Russia.

(NAN)