FG secures visa-free access for Nigerians entering Romania, Hungary from Ukraine

The Federal Government has said free visa arrangements are in place for Nigerians arriving from Ukraine through the borders of Romania and Hungary.

Gabriel Aduda, permanent secretary, ministry of foreign affairs, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

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Aduda said the ministry was fully abreast of all the challenges Nigerians crossing into countries bordering Ukraine, especially the Polish border, were facing and it is taking adequate measures to assuage these challenges.

Aduda 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 and 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.

“Parents, guardians and wards of Nigerians in Ukraine are enjoined to remain calm as the Federal Government of Nigeria is working very hard to get them all home safely.”

Meanwhile, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Budapest, Hungary in a Public Travel Advisory has informed Nigerians arriving from Ukraine, that the Government of Hungary has enacted Decree 56/2022 (24.11), which permits third-country nationals with valid Ukrainian resident permits to enter Hungary on a temporary basis, without a Schengen visa.

Also, the 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.