President Vladimir Putin’s administration has pledged to offer up to 500,000 scholarships to international students, including Nigerians, to study in Russia as part of a broader diplomatic and educational engagement strategy.
The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podelyshev, announced the initiative during a press briefing in Abuja ahead of celebrations marking Russia Day on June 12.
Mr Podelyshev said, “The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, will increase the number of international students in Russia to 500,000 in the long term. Currently, the number is less than half of that target with about 32,000 African students enrolled in Russian universities and only about 2,000 from Nigeria.”
“In line with the president’s objective, the current quota will be increased every year to achieve targets. The Russian government has currently provided 220 scholarships to Nigerian students for the 2025 academic year approved in 2024, and preparations are on for the students to begin their studies in September,” he added.
The ambassador explained that the scholarship package covers tuition and living expenses, although travel costs are expected to be borne by the students’ respective governments.
He emphasised that the scholarships form part of a strategic framework aimed at deepening long-term cooperation between Russia and Nigeria, particularly in critical sectors such as nuclear energy and industrial development.
“If Russia is involved in rebuilding a plant in Ajaokuta or establishing nuclear plants, we will need Nigerian professionals trained in Russia to implement these projects,” Mr Podelyshev noted.
“Russia is keen to integrate education with large-scale bilateral economic ventures through mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation to achieve such desired goals.”
He also acknowledged concerns about brain drain and said measures would be introduced to ensure that students return home to contribute to national development.
“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.
