The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Nigeria, Amb. Andrey Pudelyshev, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Nigeria across vital economic sectors.

The Ambassador made this disclosure during the commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and Nigeria, held on Tuesday night in Abuja.

He acknowledged that the mutual trade turnover between the two nations has yet to reach $1 billion, stressing that this figure “did not reflect the real potential of both countries or the needs of the current time.”

“We, therefore, see before us a serious and inspiring task to expand practical cooperation in energy, agriculture, transport, extractive industries, the digital economy and higher technologies,” he said, outlining key areas for expansion.

The Russian envoy characterized the anniversary as “an anniversary of trust” and “a moment when history itself turned a page for diplomatic relations,” marking the natural progression of a significant earlier step.

He recalled that the Soviet Union was among the nations that provided support to Nigeria during a period of serious internal challenges when Nigeria’s territorial integrity was under threat.

“We did not impose ready-made solutions, did not preach, and did not dictate. We stood with Nigeria as a reliable and respectful partner,” Amb. Pudelyshev stated regarding Russia’s support during a critical time.

He added, “Without exaggeration, we made an early start, during the most challenging years, Russia and Nigeria stood shoulder-to-shoulder in defending the unity of the state, and the rights of its people to determine their own future.”

Amb. Pudelyshev pointed out that over the decades, the relationship has been enriched with many important milestones, extending beyond politics, with “dozens of agreements have been signed, and cooperation has extended in energy, geology, education, science, agriculture and culture.”

He called for the revitalization of a key bilateral mechanism, stating, “We consider it necessary to revive the work of the Intergovernmental Joint Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, which could help us to achieve these tasks.”

The Ambassador also highlighted future collaboration, saying, “We also see significant opportunities in strengthening ties between regions, universities, business communities, parliaments and political institutions. We note our mutual interest in advanced military and military-technical cooperation.”

Amb. Pudelyshev reaffirmed Russia’s willingness to support Nigeria’s efforts to combat terrorist threats and to “stand ready to provide necessary assistance.”

He noted that cooperation in such areas has gained momentum through Nigeria’s participation in BRICS as a partner country.

The envoy announced an upcoming event, revealing, “Next week, the BRICS Plus International Conference, National and Regional Strategies to Combat Terrorism Amid Emerging Challenges and Threats, will begin its work in Moscow.”

He expressed anticipation for Nigeria’s presence, stating, “We hope to see the Nigerian delegation there, as Nigeria plays a leading role in countering terrorism and ensuring stability in West Africa.”

Russia highly values Nigeria’s “balanced position within the United Nations, the African Union and ECOWAS,” according to the Ambassador.

He also voiced Russia’s support for global governance reform, adding, “Russia supports the reform of the United Nations Security Council and believes that Africa and Nigeria, as the continent’s largest democracy and a major economic power, should have a more prominent voice in global governance.”

Concluding his remarks on the global context, Amb. Pudelyshev observed, “Today, the world is experiencing a period of turbulence, which makes the reliability of partners especially important.”

Amb. Dunoma Ahmed, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also spoke, noting that both countries “found common ground in principles of sovereignty, non-interference and respect for international law.”

According to him, the enduring relationship between Russia and Nigeria was “built on sincerity, shared interest and mutual respect,” foundational values that have shaped their partnership across various sectors.

The Permanent Secretary said, “It would be remiss not to acknowledge Russia’s early and consistent support to Nigeria in various spheres, including human capital development, through scholarship and training programmes, and technical cooperation in key national sectors.”

He noted the maturity and diversification of the relationship, stating, “In the course of these 65 years, our bilateral relations have matured and diversified. Nigeria and Russia have maintained a steady tradition of high-level dialogue and consultations on global and regional issues.”

Amb. Ahmed emphasized their mutual collaboration in global forums, saying, “Our shared membership in the United Nations and other multilateral bodies has created platforms for collaboration on peacekeeping, counterterrorism and the defence of a rules-based international order.”

He highlighted future economic prospects, adding, “Nigeria and Russia continue to explore opportunities in energy, mining, agriculture, transportation and manufacturing, with Nigeria expanding economic potential and Russia’s advanced technological capacity.”

Finally, he expressed optimism for future joint endeavors, saying, “The prospects for deeper economic integration are significant. We look forward to accelerating negotiations and implementation of joint projects that can deliver tangible benefits to the citizens of both countries.”