Nigeria has called for a shift in its economic relations with Russia and other African countries from political commitments to practical economic cooperation, measurable outcomes and mutually beneficial investments.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the call while delivering Nigeria’s National Statement at the Third Russia-Africa Summit held at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia.
Enikanolaiye, who led the Nigerian delegation, also invited Russian investors and businesses to explore investment opportunities in Nigeria, describing the country as Africa’s largest market and a strategic gateway to West Africa and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He conveyed the greetings of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Chairman of the African Union, President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi.
The minister said the summit provided an important opportunity to strengthen the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Russia while redefining Africa-Russia cooperation to deliver tangible economic benefits.
He stressed that the future of the partnership must be measured by the extent to which agreements translate into investments, infrastructure development, technology transfer, job creation and improved livelihoods for citizens.
Addressing trade and investment challenges, Enikanolaiye called for practical measures to address barriers affecting economic transactions between African countries and Russia.
He identified improved banking channels, reliable payment arrangements and strengthened financial infrastructure as critical requirements for facilitating trade and making it easier for businesses to operate across both regions.
He also emphasised the need for greater private-sector participation, noting that governments alone could not drive the scale of economic transformation required to deepen Africa-Russia relations.
On infrastructure development, the minister urged Russia to partner with African countries in developing commercially viable projects across critical sectors, including transportation, railways, seaports, energy, telecommunications and logistics.
He said particular attention should be given to infrastructure that strengthens regional connectivity and supports the objectives of the AfCFTA, thereby facilitating trade and economic integration across the continent.
Enikanolaiye also identified the digital economy as a major area for expanded cooperation, warning that Africa must not enter the digital age merely as a consumer of foreign technologies.
He called for stronger collaboration in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, software development and joint research, with emphasis on technology transfer, capacity building and the development of indigenous African capabilities.
According to him, such cooperation would enable African countries to build competitive digital economies, develop local expertise and participate more meaningfully in the global technology ecosystem.
On agriculture and food security, the minister said recent global disruptions had exposed the vulnerabilities of food systems and international supply chains, making it necessary for African countries to strengthen domestic agricultural production and processing capacity.
He noted that Africa required sustainable partnerships in storage, processing, fertiliser availability, irrigation, mechanisation and agricultural research to build resilient food systems.
He welcomed opportunities for cooperation with Russia in agricultural technology, fertiliser production and agro-processing, stressing that the continent needed to produce more, process more and retain greater economic value within its borders.
Addressing peace and security, Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strategic autonomy and the promotion of peace and stability across Africa.
He identified terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, arms trafficking, piracy, cybercrime and instability in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea as major threats to collective security and sustainable development.
He said addressing these challenges required stronger cooperation at regional and international levels, anchored on African ownership and African-led solutions.
The minister emphasised that external partnerships should strengthen existing African institutions, particularly the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other regional mechanisms, rather than undermine their capacity to address security challenges.
On international relations, he reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to sovereign equality, territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of states and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
He called for greater reliance on dialogue, diplomacy and respect for international law in addressing global conflicts and disagreements.
Enikanolaiye also reiterated Nigeria’s support for reforms of the United Nations Security Council and the international financial architecture to guarantee Africa’s rightful representation and participation in global decision-making.
He further expressed Nigeria’s support for a fair multipolar world order, while opposing unilateral sanctions and the political manipulation of global trade rules.
Speaking on financial cooperation between Nigeria and Russia, the minister said Nigeria hoped to deepen independent local-currency settlement mechanisms based on mutually agreed standards for cross-border payments.
He noted that strengthening such arrangements would help facilitate bilateral trade, improve financial transactions and reduce practical barriers to economic cooperation.
On the implementation of agreements reached at the summit, Enikanolaiye maintained that its success should not be measured by declarations alone but by the concrete actions taken after the gathering.
He said Nigeria supported the adoption of a focused and realistic Africa-Russia Action Plan for 2027–2029, with clearly defined priorities, financing arrangements and monitoring mechanisms to ensure effective implementation.
The minister said the framework should provide a practical roadmap for translating the commitments of both sides into measurable development outcomes.
Enikanolaiye highlighted opportunities in energy, including renewable energy and nuclear technology, solid minerals, agriculture, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, defence and digital services.
He described Nigeria as a major investment destination with significant economic potential, urging Russian companies to explore mutually beneficial ventures that would support industrialisation, technology transfer and sustainable economic growth.
The minister also recalled the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Russia, describing the country as a dependable and time-honoured partner whose historic support for Nigeria’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity remained deeply appreciated.
He said the summit had further consolidated the friendly foundation of Nigeria-Russia relations, which dates back to the Soviet era, while creating opportunities to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for independent development and its constructive role in regional and international cooperation.
At the plenary session, Russian President Vladimir Putin described Russia and Africa as natural allies in the pursuit of a just multipolar world order.
Putin reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to sovereign equality, expanded diplomatic engagement with African countries, security cooperation to support internal stability and greater African representation in international institutions.
Similarly, the Co-Chair of the summit and African Union Chairman, President Evariste Ndayishimiye, stressed that Africa remained committed to an independent approach to international cooperation.
Ndayishimiye said the continent would not replace one form of subordination with another, emphasising the need for partnerships that respect Africa’s sovereignty, priorities and development aspirations.
He said the 2027–2029 Action Plan would provide an opportunity to address the continent’s infrastructure deficits through technology transfer, skills development and investment in critical sectors.
The AU chairman also stressed the importance of transforming Africa from an aid-dependent recipient into an independent and influential global actor.
He identified water security as one of the major priorities of the African Union’s 2026 agenda, underscoring the need for stronger international cooperation to address the continent’s development challenges.
The Third Russia-Africa Summit therefore provided a platform for Nigeria to reiterate its commitment to diversified international partnerships, economic independence and stronger cooperation capable of delivering practical benefits to African countries.
