The Ukrainian Ambassador to Nigeria, Kirdoda Valerii, has stated that evacuating Nigerians from the nation is currently impossible due to the fact that Ukraine's airspace remains closed as a result of the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Russia started a military offensive on Ukraine on February 23, forcing many people to evacuate their homes. On Thursday, the Nigerian government declared that a special arrangement is being prepared to evacuate over 5000 Nigerian students and other Nigerians wishing to be evacuated from Ukraine owing to the conflict.

On Thursday, February 25, after meeting with Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama, the Ukrainian envoy expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government and people for their support during these trying times, but stated that it is unsafe to remove anyone at this time.

"Right now, we are in a very difficult situation, but we are fighting against the aggression, and we believe that we will all win.

The Ukrainian government does not differentiate between people on the basis of their nationality, and that is its best effort to protect everybody.

Currently, the evacuation of Nigerian students is not possible because it is not safe to fly in the skies of Ukraine. As soon as it is safe to fly in the sky of Ukraine, we will join the Embassy of Nigeria in Ukraine and, jointly with the Nigerian government, we will arrange for the evacuation of Nigerian students. " Valeria said.