Russia Denies Ukraine War Nigerian Recruitment Claims

Russia has stated that any recruitment of Nigerian citizens to fight in Ukraine is not connected to the Russian state, according to Ambassador to Nigeria, Sergey Podyelyshev. The ambassador highlighted ongoing military and technical cooperation between both countries, while also emphasizing Nigeria’s strategic importance to Russia’s broader engagement in Africa.

Military cooperation and Nigeria’s strategic role in West Africa

Podyelyshev acknowledged the possibility of illegal actors operating independently but stressed they had no official backing. “If some illegal people are trying to recruit Nigerians to fight in Ukraine, this is not connected with the Russian state,” he said, adding that any credible information would be forwarded to Russian law enforcement authorities for investigation.

The briefing also highlighted ongoing military technical cooperation between Nigeria and Russia, including discussions around training Nigerian military personnel and the potential supply of Russian equipment. According to the ambassador, some initiatives are already underway, while others remain under consideration, subject to Nigeria’s interests and priorities.

Podyelyshev underscored Nigeria’s strategic importance to Moscow’s broader African engagement, describing the country as central to Russia’s West African outlook. He said cooperation with Nigeria “largely shapes our prospects in West Africa” and portrayed the country as a potential anchor for regional stability and development.

Beyond bilateral ties, the ambassador reiterated Russia’s broader foreign policy stance, emphasising support for a multipolar world order, respect for national sovereignty, and opposition to unilateral dominance in global affairs.

The discussions covered economic, scientific, and educational cooperation, including plans to establish a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology in Nigeria and to expand scholarship opportunities for Nigerian students at Russian universities. Podyelyshev said both countries remain committed to long-term strategic cooperation spanning security, trade, education, and diplomatic coordination on the international stage.