Russia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with Nigeria across major economic sectors.
At the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations in Abuja, Ambassador Andrey Pudelyshev noted that trade between both countries is still below $1 billion, which does not reflect their true potential.
He said Russia aims to expand practical collaboration in energy, agriculture, transport, extractive industries, the digital economy and advanced technology.
Pudelyshev described the anniversary as a symbol of long-standing trust, recalling the Soviet Union’s support during Nigeria’s internal challenges. He stressed that Russia stood with Nigeria as a respectful partner without imposing solutions.
Over the decades, he said, relations have grown beyond politics, with agreements covering energy, geology, education, science, agriculture and culture. He called for the revival of the Intergovernmental Joint Commission to drive these goals and highlighted opportunities in regional, academic, business and parliamentary cooperation, including military and technical ties.
He reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to assist Nigeria in combating terrorism, noting increased collaboration through Nigeria’s participation in BRICS. He expressed hope for Nigeria’s presence at the upcoming BRICS Plus conference in Moscow and praised Nigeria’s balanced role in the UN, AU and ECOWAS. Russia also supports UN Security Council reform, saying Africa and Nigeria deserve a stronger voice.
Amb. Dunoma Ahmed, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said both countries are united by principles of sovereignty, non-interference and respect for international law. He acknowledged Russia’s early support in human capital development and technical cooperation. He added that the relationship has matured over 65 years, strengthened by shared positions in global forums and cooperation in peacekeeping and counterterrorism. Nigeria and Russia continue to explore opportunities in energy, mining, agriculture, transport and manufacturing, with prospects for deeper economic integration. He said both nations look forward to advancing joint projects that will benefit their citizens.