Russia to expand educational ties with Nigeria, offers more scholarships
Russia to expand educational ties with Nigeria, offers more scholarships
The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Andrey Podelyshev has outlined an ambitious plan to increase the number of African and Nigerian students studying in Russian universities as part of a broader educational and diplomatic engagement strategy.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday evening, Podelyshev revealed that Russian President, Vladimir Putin, aims to raise the number of international students in Russia to “500,000 in the long term.”
Currently, that figure is less than half the target, with around “32,000 African students enrolled in Russian universities,” and only “about 2,000 from Nigeria.”
“In line with the president’s objective, the quota will grow every year,” Podelyshev said, adding that the Russian government had provided “220 scholarships to Nigerian students for the 2025 academic year.”
These scholarships were approved in 2024, with preparations currently underway for students to begin studies in September 2025.
Due to recent changes in Nigerian government policy, which halted funding for transportation and accommodation under scholarship programmes, Russia has introduced a separate grant system.
This initiative aims to cover not just tuition but also living expenses and travel costs for selected international students.
The ambassador stressed that Russia’s efforts go beyond offering scholarships. He emphasised the strategic importance of education in fostering long-term cooperation between Russia and Nigeria, especially in critical sectors like nuclear energy and industrial development.
“For example, if Russia is involved in rebuilding a metallurgical plant in Ajaokuta or establishing nuclear plants, we will need Nigerian professionals trained in Russia to implement these projects,” he said.
He further explained that Russia is keen to integrate education with large-scale bilateral economic ventures through mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation.
Podelyshev acknowledged concerns about brain drain, where students trained abroad often choose not to return due to better opportunities elsewhere.
The envoy argued that closer collaboration between the Nigerian and Russian governments, specifically through targeted project-based training, could help address this issue.
“If students know they are being trained for specific national projects that require their expertise upon return, they will have stronger incentives to come back,” he said.
Podelyshev highlighted Russia’s initiatives to promote its language and culture in Nigeria.
Currently, the Russian government supports educational centres such as the Centre of Open Education at Lagos University, and it is exploring similar partnerships with universities in Abuja and other parts of the country.
He expressed a willingness to meet with heads of Nigerian universities to expand Russian language programmes and cultural exchanges.
The envoy pointed to previous efforts, including a proposed Russian language centre at Katsina State University that did not materialise, and called for renewed commitment from Nigerian institutions to make such collaborations successful.
