Putin Offers Hundreds of Nigerian Students Fresh Scholarships to Study in Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has initiated a major scholarship drive aimed at Nigerian students, offering 220 full scholarships for the 2025 academic year. The program, approved in 2024, is part of Russia's broader educational outreach, which aims to welcome hundreds of thousands more international students from Africa and beyond .

Ambassador Andrey Podelyshev, speaking in Abuja, said Russia has set an ambitious long-term target of hosting 500,000 international students, including 32,000 Africans and approximately 2,000 Nigerians currently enrolled. The 220 new scholarships will cover tuition, living expenses, and travel costs for Nigerian recipients starting with the September 2025 term .

This initiative reflects Russia's strategy to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties through education. Podelyshev emphasized that many Nigerian students will be trained in fields crucial for national development—such as nuclear energy, metallurgy, and industrial rehabilitation. These skills are expected to support joint projects like the Ajaokuta steel plant revamp and prospective nuclear infrastructure.

In response to concerns about scholarship-related brain drain, Russia has introduced project-based training models designed to ensure students return to Nigeria equipped with targeted expertise. By integrating education with national economic goals and including full support for students, the program aims to foster a skilled workforce aligned with Nigeria’s development agenda.

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