Russia has denied any state-backed programme to recruit Nigerians to fight in the war in Ukraine, saying any such activity is not linked to the Russian government.
The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podyolyshev, made the clarification on Tuesday in Abuja amid reports and videos alleging that Nigerians and other Africans were deceived with security job offers and later sent to the battlefield after brief training.
“There is no government-supported programme to recruit Nigerians to fight in Ukraine,” Podyolyshev said. “If illegal organisations or individuals are doing this, it has nothing to do with the Russian state.”
He said Russia was open to investigating any credible claims and urged those with evidence to forward it to Russian law enforcement agencies.
While acknowledging that some Nigerians may be present in the conflict zone, the ambassador insisted there was no official Russian policy behind their involvement. He also dismissed allegations by Western media, including a recent CNN investigation, accusing them of attempting to “demonise Russia.”
On bilateral relations, Podyolyshev disclosed that Russia and Nigeria were discussing deeper defence cooperation, including arms supply and military training, to support Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and piracy.
He also called for stronger economic engagement, noting that the last Russia–Nigeria Intergovernmental Commission meeting was held about a decade ago.
Describing Nigeria as a strategic partner, Podyolyshev said the country’s population size, economic strength and regional influence position it as a future global power in a multipolar world.
He highlighted Nigeria’s leadership role in ECOWAS and the African Union, as well as its peacekeeping efforts across West Africa, adding that Russia–Nigeria relations, dating back 65 years, were entering a new phase.
