Russia has offered to increase its annual scholarship quota for Nigerian students beyond the current 220 slots, The Nation has learnt.
The proposed increase is, however, contingent upon enhanced collaboration with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education.
The offer was disclosed on Thursday during a meeting in Abuja between officials of the Russian Embassy and Nigeria’s Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy. According to a statement by Dr. Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, media aide to the Minister, the discussion focused on strengthening bilateral ties in areas such as youth development through creative industries, cultural exchange, and economic cooperation.
Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, emphasized the need to engage Nigeria’s youth—70% of whom are under the age of 30—through the creative and cultural sectors.
“Nigeria has a large youth population… There is great need to harness their potential through the creative and cultural industries,” the minister said, adding that culture and creativity should be tools for addressing global issues like youth unemployment, economic hardship, climate change, education, and mental health.
Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. A.L. Podelyshev, also extended an invitation for Nigeria to participate in the Kazan Cultural Fair scheduled for November 2025. He proposed reviving a two-year-old draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cultural cooperation.
Ambassador Podelyshev further expressed Russia’s willingness to promote cultural exchange by facilitating visits of Nigerian cultural groups to Russia and Russian artists to Nigeria.
He also pledged Russian support in preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage through technological means.
“The Russian Institute of Theatre Arts seeks and proposes collaboration with Nigeria for joint theatre programs and training. It also proposes cooperation in preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage through digital technologies like 3D scanning and virtual reality”, the Ambassador stated.
The Ministry proposed adding creative economy and audiovisual co-productions to future bilateral agreements while both parties committed to taking concrete action, agreeing on the need for clear focal persons and timelines to ensure effective follow-up.
The Russian Embassy said it awaits concrete proposals from Nigeria on priority areas of cooperation, while expressing mutual willingness to move forward on the MOU and implement cultural, creative, and tourism-related projects.
