The Russian Federation has indicated plans to increase its annual scholarship allocation for Nigerian students, which currently stands at 220 slots, pending further discussions with Nigeria’s Ministry of Education.
This proposal emerged during a meeting in Abuja between representatives of the Russian Embassy and officials from Nigeria’s Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy.
In a statement released by Nneka Anibeze, media adviser to Minister Hannatu Musawa, the talks centred on enhancing cultural exchange, fostering youth development through creative industries, and deepening broader economic cooperation between the two nations.
Minister Musawa highlighted Nigeria’s youthful demographic, noting that 70 percent of the population is under 30. She stressed the urgent need to channel this demographic advantage into productive sectors like the creative and cultural industries.
“There’s a significant need to harness the potential of our youth through culture and creativity,” Musawa said. “We aim to engage young people on global challenges such as youth employment, economic hardship, climate change, education, and mental health through these industries.”
Russian Ambassador A.L. Podelyshev extended an invitation for Nigeria to participate in the Kazan Cultural Fair slated for November. He also proposed reviving a Memorandum of Understanding on cultural cooperation that has been pending for two years.
Podelyshev expressed interest in facilitating mutual cultural exchanges between Russian and Nigerian groups and revealed that the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts seeks collaboration with Nigerian institutions for joint training and theatrical projects. Additionally, he noted that Russia is ready to support efforts to preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage using modern digital technologies, including 3D scanning and virtual reality.
In response, the Nigerian ministry suggested incorporating creative economy initiatives and audiovisual co-productions into future bilateral agreements. Both sides agreed to appoint focal persons and develop timelines to ensure the proposed collaborations move forward effectively.
The Russian Embassy confirmed it is awaiting Nigeria’s formal proposals outlining key priorities for cooperation and reiterated its commitment to pursuing joint projects in culture, education, and tourism.
