Nigerians get visa-free access to Romania, Hungary from Ukraine

Nigerians arriving from Ukraine through the borders in Romania and Hungary have been granted visa-free access, the Federal Government has said.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gabriel Aduda, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.

Already about 50 Nigerians from Ukraine have reportedly arrived in Hungry.

Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia on Thursday, many residents have been forced to flee to neighbouring countries.

Aduda said due to the challenges faced by Nigerians crossing into countries bordering Ukraine, especially the Polish border, the government had taken steps to also arrange for accommodation and feeding, pending evacuation.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is fully abreast of all the challenges Nigerians crossing into countries bordering Ukraine, especially the Polish border, are facing and we are taking adequate measures to assuage the challenges,” the statement said.

“The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs has spoken with his counterpart, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, on these unsavoury developments and both are working on alleviating the suffering of Nigerians, including deploying the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to the border to ensure easier access to all Nigerians and other nationals.

“For now, movement to the Hungarian Zahony border and Romanian Suceava, Tulcea, Satu Mare County & Maramures borders is advised, as they have approved visa free access to all Nigerians coming from Ukraine and arrangements for accommodation and feeding, before evacuation is arranged.”

The ministry also urged relatives of Nigerians in Ukraine to “remain calm as the federal government us working very hard to get them all home safely”.

Also, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) asked Nigerians to contact the Romanian embassy if they encounter difficulties.

“The Nigerian Embassy in Romania wishes to inform Nigerians arriving from Ukraine that arrangement has been put in place to receive them at the Romanian entry points,” the commission said in a statement.

“The Embassy hotlines are: Consular Officer, +40747309174; Head of Chancery, +40786091964.”

On Friday, Valerii Kirdoda, the Ukrainian ambassador to Nigeria, had said Nigerians would be safely evacuated as soon as the airspace is made open for flights.