By Mahdi Waziri Isa
The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podyolyshev, has reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to strengthening educational ties with Nigeria.
Speaking at a media parley at the Russian Embassy on Monday, Ambassador Podyolyshev emphasized Russia’s interest in boosting collaborations with Nigerian institutions, particularly in the areas of Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence.
“We are deeply interested in boosting educational ties with Nigeria, and the door is open for institutional collaborations to explore Russia’s potentials in IT, including AI,” Ambassador Podyolyshev said.
He disclosed that the Russian Embassy is eager to engage with representatives of various institutions to explore potential partnerships. “Sponsoring education is the first step in educational collaboration between our two nations,” he noted.
Ambassador Podyolyshev revealed that Russia aims to increase the number of international students to 500,000 in the near future, with over 32,000 African students currently studying in Russian universities. President Putin has set this ambitious target, and the Russian government is committed to achieving it.
“President Putin has an aim of increasing the number of international students in Russia to 500,000 in the near future. Currently, we have more than 32,000 African students studying in Russian universities. So the President aims at increasing the number along with the educational grants every year,” Ambassador Podyolyshev explained.
In line with this goal, Russia will offer 220 scholarships to Nigerian students in September 2025. The Russian Embassy is working closely with the Nigerian scholarship board to facilitate the regularization of applicants’ documents.
While the Nigerian government has cancelled foreign scholarship programs, which previously covered transportation and accommodation costs, Ambassador Podyolyshev assured that Russian education will remain free for Nigerian students. However, students will be responsible for their transportation and accommodation expenses.
The Ambassador expressed Russia’s disappointment with the Nigerian government’s decision and announced that the Russian government is preparing to introduce an initiative to provide financial grants for international students, including Nigerians, to cover these costs.
“The Russian government has decided to offer grants along with the scholarships. The system will work separately, and it is the grants system that will provide free transportation and accommodation,” Ambassador Podyolyshev said.
The Russian Embassy is also collaborating with the Nigerian Ministry of Education to promote Russian language and culture among Nigerians. The Russian Ministry of Education finances educational programs, such as the Cabinet Class of Russian Language Studies, and sponsors tutors.
Furthermore, Russia has established the Russian Centre of Open Education at the University of Lagos, which teaches Russian language and culture. Ambassador Podyolyshev hopes to establish a similar center at the University of Abuja, which was recently renamed after Nigeria’s former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon.
“I also had a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja… and I hope that we will have a centre like that of Lagos in the University this year,” Ambassador Podyolyshev said.