Hope for Nigerian students as Russia rolls out fully funded scholarships

Russia has unveiled a bold strategy to deepen its educational and diplomatic ties with Nigeria and the rest of Africa, with a particular focus on expanding the number of students from the continent studying in Russian universities.

At a press briefing held in Abuja on Monday evening, Andrey Podelyshev, the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, shared details of the initiative, which is part of a broader vision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to increase the population of international students in Russia to “500,000 in the long term.”

Currently, that figure remains well below target, with “32,000 African students enrolled in Russian universities” and only “about 2,000 from Nigeria.” However, as Podelyshev explained, “In line with the president’s objective, the quota will grow every year.” For the upcoming 2025 academic year, the Russian government has allocated “220 scholarships to Nigerian students.”

In response to recent policy shifts by the Nigerian government, which halted funding for travel and accommodation under scholarship programmes, Russia has introduced a separate grant mechanism. This newly created support system will go beyond tuition to also cover travel costs and living expenses for qualifying students.

More than just financial support, these educational efforts, Podelyshev noted, represent a strategic investment in long-term bilateral cooperation.

“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 added that Russia plans to link education with major economic and industrial ventures through frameworks like the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation.

Addressing concerns over brain drain, a persistent issue where students trained abroad choose not to return home, the ambassador offered a targeted solution. “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.

Russia is also working to promote its language and culture within Nigeria. Through initiatives like the Centre of Open Education at the University of Lagos, the Russian government is already supporting educational outreach.

Ambassador Podelyshev mentioned that discussions are ongoing to extend such partnerships to universities in Abuja and other regions.

He expressed openness to collaborating with university leadership across Nigeria to enhance Russian language programmes and cultural exchange opportunities.

He recalled a previously proposed Russian language centre at Katsina State University, which never came to fruition, and urged Nigerian institutions to renew their commitment to making these collaborations successful.