107 NIGERIAN STUDENTS UNDER NIGERIA-RUSSIA BILATERAL EDUCATION AGREEMENT ARRIVE IN RUSSIA
Nigeria established bilateral relations with the Soviet Union in 1960. The Nigerian Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) with Russia has been in existence since the Soviet era and took its current form as far back as 1997. Since then, the Russian Federation has awarded scholarships to several Nigerian citizens to study in various institutions in Russia.
This year, about 107 Scholarships have been awarded by the Russian Government for 2022/2023 Academic Session. The scholars arrived Russia in three batches. Today, 1st December 2022, thirty-two (32) Nigerian scholars along with the accompanying officer from the Federal Scholarship Board (FSB) arrived Moscow, and were received at the Domodedovo International airport by H.E. Prof. Abdullahi Yibaikwal SHEHU, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Russian Federation with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of Belarus. It may be recalled that the first and second batches of forty-one (41) and twenty-three (23) scholars had arrived Russia on 17th and 26th November 2022 respectively and settled in their respective institutions. Majority of the students are to study Medicine, Engineering and Technology. Overall, Nigeria has over 500 students in the Russian Federation under the bilateral education scholarship, while more than 1500 students are private students spread across Russian universities. Indeed, this would strengthen bilateral relations and facilitate knowledge and technology transfer to Nigeria.
In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Shehu congratulated the students on their successful arrival in Moscow, and noted that the opportunity to study on scholarships for Nigerian students at various Russian universities represents a successful cooperation in the field of education between Nigeria and Russia and is one of the most important areas in the development of bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Ambassador expressed appreciation to the Russian Government and thanked the Ministries of Education and Foreign Affairs of Nigeria for facilitating the movement of the scholars. Furthermore, the Ambassador assured that the Embassy would support the students to achieve the purpose of their coming to Russia. Ambassador Shehu wished the students successful studies and urged them to dedicate themselves to their studies and be law abiding in Russia.
Reacting, the students expressed their gratitude to the Embassy of Nigeria in Moscow and to Ambassador Shehu in particular for coming to the airport to welcome and encourage them.
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Moscow-Russia
1st December, 2022
