The Russian language is to be reintroduced in Nigerian universities as part of a renewed cultural exchange initiative between Nigeria and Russia.
This effort aims to strengthen the existing cultural ties through the revival of previous exchange agreements.
By incorporating Russian Language Studies into the university curriculum, the initiative also seeks to connect Nigerian universities with the Russian–African University Network, providing opportunities at no cost to the national treasury.
Currently, over 2,186 Nigerians are pursuing their studies in Russia, primarily in fields like medicine and engineering.
However, due to challenging economic conditions, the federal government has suspended funding for bilateral scholarships.
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As a result, aspiring students will now need to seek full sponsorship from Russian institutions, individual states, or private organisations to fund their education abroad.
Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa met with the Russian ambassador. Nikolay Udovichenko to review cooperation and explore new opportunities.
This was disclosed via the official X handle of the minister of education today.
In response to this situation, Russia has offered 250 scholarships for the academic year 2024–25, of which 199 students have already enrolled. Ambassador Udovichenko indicated that Russia is prepared to increase the quota for Nigerian students if financial guarantees can be provided.
Already, the governments of Niger and Abia States have expressed their commitment to supporting their students in this endeavour, highlighting a proactive approach to foster educational opportunities in collaboration with Russian institutions.
