Abuja: The Government of Russia has pledged to provide no less than 500,000 scholarships to international students, including those from Nigeria, to study in the country. This announcement was made by Amb. Andrey Podelyshev, the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, during a press briefing in Abuja. The event was held in anticipation of the Russia Day celebrations scheduled for June 12.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Podelyshev elaborated on Russia’s broader educational and diplomatic engagement strategies. These strategies include a policy aimed at increasing the number of African and Nigerian students pursuing studies in various Russian universities. The ambassador noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to raise the number of international students in Russia to 500,000 over the long term. Currently, there are about 32,000 African students enrolled in Russian universities, with approximately 2,000 hailing from Nigeria.

The ambassador revealed that the Russian government has allocated 220 scholarships to Nigerian students for the 2025 academic year, with approvals set for 2024. Preparations are underway for these students to commence their studies in September. The initiative is comprehensive, covering not only tuition fees but also living expenses. The travel costs for selected international students will be borne by the government of the student’s home country.

The ambassador emphasized Russia’s commitment to providing these scholarships as part of a strategic effort to foster long-term cooperation with Nigeria, particularly in critical economic sectors such as nuclear energy and industrial development. He highlighted the importance of training Nigerian professionals in Russia to support projects like rebuilding a plant in Ajaokuta or establishing nuclear plants.

To prevent brain drain, Podelyshev mentioned that strategic frameworks would be implemented to encourage students to return home after completing their studies. By aligning education with national projects that require their expertise, students will have stronger incentives to contribute to their home country’s growth upon return.