No fewer than 179 Nigerians are billed to travel to Russia to pursue undergraduate degrees under the 2023/2024 Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA).

Speaking at a pre-departure briefing in Abuja, Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, urged the scholars to be good ambassadors of the country.

Prof. Mamman said their selection as scholars is part of a broader plan of deepening the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which ensures that brilliant Nigerians are supported to get the necessary knowledge, skills and competence that would be useful in Nigeria’s development agenda.

Represented by the Director of Tertiary Education in the Federal Ministry of Education, Hajia Rakiya Gambo Iliyasu, the Minister urged them to uphold good values and focus on their studies.

“I therefore need to advise you not to see this as uncontrolled freedom to do things that would be a disgrace to you, your parents and the country. Nigeria is investing a lot in you and expect that the returns of the investment would manifest in your coming back to help move your nation forward,” the Minister said.

Speaking on behalf of the scholars, Moses Inalegu thanked the Federal Government and the Russian Federation for the opportunity, promising not to let their guard down.