Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has cautioned Nigerians to be vigilant against fraudulent scholarship and employment offers being peddled by criminal syndicates abroad.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu issued the warning while addressing a public investigative hearing of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions.
She highlighted that these scams prey on the aspirations of unsuspecting Nigerians with offers that appear enticing but are ultimately fraudulent.
Her words: “Criminal syndicates based abroad are scamming people of their hard-earned money every day with fake scholarships and jobs. Our citizens should beware of offers that sound just too good to be true.”
The minister further expressed concern over the increasing number of Nigerians facing harassment, deportation, or denial of entry into foreign countries, even when in possession of valid visas issued by recognized embassies in Nigeria.
She assured that the federal government is actively addressing the matter through diplomatic engagement with the concerned countries.
“The ministry of foreign affairs is working to ensure that, in line with the amnesty granted by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the monies confiscated from our citizens at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa, are returned to them,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also advised Nigerian travellers to be transparent and accurate when declaring currency at international border posts to prevent unnecessary seizures.
Her remarks were made during a session chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, who represents Edo South, as the committee reviewed several petitions submitted by Nigerian citizens.
