The Russian Federation has commended Nigeria’s growing engagement with the BRICS bloc, describing it as a catalyst for strengthening bilateral relations between both countries.
Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podyolyshev, made the remarks in Abuja during a photo exhibition organized by the Russian Embassy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945).
Speaking to journalists at the event, Podyolyshev praised Nigeria’s support for Russia at the United Nations, particularly in the recent resolution opposing the glorification of Nazism.
“I want to thank Nigeria for supporting Russia during the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, where a resolution on combating the glorification of Nazism and related forms of racism and intolerance was adopted,” he said.
The ambassador emphasized that Nigeria’s recent alignment with BRICS opens up significant prospects for economic and diplomatic cooperation. “Nigeria becoming a BRICS partner is a major step forward. It enriches the potential for cooperation between our countries across various fronts,” he said.
The exhibition, held in remembrance of victims of World War II and the Soviet Union’s role in defeating Nazi Germany, also aimed to highlight the lessons of history and the continuing threats of fascism and intolerance in today’s world.
On the broader global stage, Podyolyshev reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to a multipolar world order, stressing the need for nations to cooperate on shared global challenges such as economic instability and insecurity.
“Our approach remains rooted in promoting multipolarity—a future where nations unite around common interests. Africa, and Nigeria in particular, represents an important pole in this vision,” he stated.
He added that Russia views Africa not only as a partner but as a continent with its own authentic culture and strategic interests, deserving a central role in shaping global affairs.
“Cooperation with African powers, especially Nigeria, remains a top priority of Russia’s foreign policy,” Podyolyshev concluded.
The Great Patriotic War, fought by the Soviet Union between 1941 and 1945 as part of World War II, played a pivotal role in the defeat of Nazi Germany and laid the groundwork for the establishment of the United Nations—an institution aimed at preventing future global conflicts.
