Several Nigerian students studying in Moscow, including those from Niger State, are reportedly facing the threat of deportation due to difficulties in renewing their international passports.

This situation has arisen from an alleged shortage of materials needed for the production of new passports, leaving the students unable to update their travel documents in time.

These students, most of whom are undergraduates, have raised alarms about the possibility of being deported from Russia if they are unable to renew their passports before their current ones expire. Many of them have reached out to their parents, expressing concerns over the looming deportation threat.

Reports indicate that the green cards, which allow the students to legally stay and study in Russia, are nearing expiration. Despite their best efforts, attempts to renew these documents have failed.

The Nigerian Immigration Service office in Russia has reportedly claimed that they are unable to issue new passports due to a shortage of materials for printing.

Yakubu Tauheed Bina, a concerned parent, spoke out about the gravity of the situation, explaining that the cost for his son to return to Nigeria and renew his passport would be over N5 million.

“I am deeply worried about this situation. The Nigerian Embassy in Russia should have found a solution by now. Is the federal government not providing the necessary funding for the embassy to operate efficiently?” he questioned.

Bina also appealed to both the Federal and State governments to step in and support Nigerian students and citizens abroad, urging them to prioritize the timely renewal and issuance of passports.

He emphasized that the failure to address this issue could lead to the embarrassing and stressful experience of deportation for many students and other Nigerians living overseas.

Parents and students alike are calling on the government to act swiftly to resolve this passport renewal crisis, as the threat of deportation looms larger with each passing day.