Russia Eyes Deeper Economic Ties with Nigeria

Russia has signaled its intention to strengthen cooperation with Nigeria across strategic economic sectors, highlighting energy, agriculture, transport, mining, and advanced technologies as key areas of focus.

Speaking at a diplomatic event marking 65 years of relations between the two countries, Russian Ambassador Andrey Pudelyshev described the existing trade turnover of under $1 billion as below the potential of both nations. He emphasized plans to expand practical collaboration, noting the importance of intergovernmental commissions, regional partnerships, and academic and business exchanges to boost bilateral projects.

Pudelyshev highlighted Russia’s support for Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts and praised Nigeria’s role in regional stability and global governance platforms, including the United Nations and BRICS. He described the relationship as a foundation of trust, mutual respect, and shared interest, with a history of collaboration dating back to Nigeria’s early post-independence challenges.

The envoy also pointed to opportunities for military-technical cooperation and technology-driven initiatives, signaling a broader ambition to align Russian expertise with Nigeria’s developmental priorities.

Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, Dunoma Ahmed, reaffirmed that the bilateral relationship rests on principles of sovereignty, non-interference, and respect for international law. He noted that cooperation has matured over decades, covering education, science, defense, and culture, and stressed the importance of joint projects to deliver tangible benefits to citizens.

Both diplomats expressed optimism that ongoing dialogue and high-level engagements would accelerate economic integration, expand trade, and strengthen partnerships in sectors critical to national growth and regional stability.

The event underscored a shared vision of leveraging historical ties for modern development challenges, positioning Nigeria and Russia as strategic partners in a rapidly evolving global landscape.