NIIA experts, others urge Russia to assist Africa on renewable, nuclear energy, food security
Senior experts at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, diplomats, and others have urged the Russian government to assist Africa in the area of renewable energy and development,
- By Bola Olajuwon, Assistant Editor, and Faruq Durosinmi
Senior experts at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, diplomats, and others have urged the Russian government to assist Africa in the area of renewable energy and development, such as in the areas of solar energy, hydropower, and nuclear energy.
Director General, NIIA, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, Director of Studies, NIIA, Prof. Chinasa Ohiri, Valery Zhuchkov of the Institute of International Relations, MGIMO University, Attache of the Russian Embassy in Nigeria Alexey Starikov, Director of Research, NIIA, Prof. Joshua Bolarinwa, and others gave the charge during a presentation on "African Expectations of Russia in overcoming Climate Change Adversities".
The event was the NIIA- MGIMO Roundtable Discussion on Nigeria and Russia in the Changing and Challenging World Order, held in Victoria Island, over the weekend.
Prof Ohiri said that there is a need for Russia to support Africa in the area of food security, adding, “It is known that Russia is a major supplier of grain to the continent, and we are saying that they should assist African countries in agricultural stability.”
She also urged Russia to respect Africa’s sovereignty and deal with the continent on an equal basis.
Noting that climate change represents one of the most impressive global challenges of the 21st Century, with Africa among the most vulnerable regions, despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, she lamented that the "continent expresses an increasing frequency of droughts, flooding, food insecurity, and energy shortages, which threaten economic and human security."
“We are also expecting that Russia would assist Africa in the area of scientific research and climate data appropriation, such as the use of AI for climate predictions. I'm talking about financial support and investment in climate-resilient infrastructure,” she said.
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Prof. Ohiri noted that in response, "African states are expanding partnerships beyond traditional Western donors to include emerging global powers such as the Russian Federation."
She said that Russia, on its part, has strengthened engagement with African countries through the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum and bilateral agreements focused on environmental protection, energy development, and technological cooperation.
Prof. Osaghae, at the event, noted that many people are interested in Russia and its role in changing the global order.
He said: "Coming home to Nigeria and to my immediate neighbours in The Sahel, there was some excitement about listening to the Russian aspect of what Russia is doing in The Sahel."
On the new normal in the global order, he said: "At a time, there was the Gaza War, together with the war in Ukraine. But today, things have changed a bit to become a little more complex, and we now have the war in the Middle East. So that's the nature of the new normal in the global order."
The DG, while receiving a delegation from the MGIMO University at the institute, said that their presence in the NIIA marked a new chapter in the annals of the institute.
He said that NGIMO University is Russia's leading university for international relations, as well as the Russian window to the world.
Prof. Osaghae noted that the NIIA is pleased to be part of the process of reenacting what Russia has always planned to do with Africa.
The DG, who said that the NIIA is interested in strengthening the capacities that the institute has for foreign languages, added: "And we've always had, in our span of our mission, the establishment of a foreign languages laboratory in our institute that would not deal only with the better or more conventional languages that you know, not just French, not just German, not just Russian, and so on. But we also have Arabic and a bit of Chinese."
Stating the NIIA would sign an MoU with MGIMO University, the NIIA DG added, "We have an MoU to sign. And we're very pleased that we have reached that level.
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"So, we want to see, not the glamour of MOU signing, but what actually follows."
Zhuchkov, of the Institute of International Relations, MGIMO University, said that MGIMO is the first university in Russia with the goal of teaching human rights.
Starikov, Attache of the Russian Embassy in Nigeria, who spoke on behalf of the Russian Embassy in Abuja, said that the international system is undergoing profound structural changes, with the era of unipolarity steadily giving way to a more complex multipolar configuration in which emerging centers of power, particularly in the Global South, are playing an increasingly decisive role.
In this regard, he said, “Russia and Nigeria find themselves not merely as observers but as active contributors to shaping a more balanced and equitable international architecture.
"For Russia, the current transformation is not a temporary fluctuation but a long-term and objective process. We proceed from the understanding that the future World Order must be based on the principles of sovereign policy of states, non-interference in internal affairs, and genuine multilateralism rooted in the central role of the United Nations."
He said: "Russia has consistently supported the strengthening of Africa's efforts in global affairs, and our approach to the continent is grounded in respect, non-conditionality, and a clear rejection of any forms of neocolonial practices. We do not see Africa as an arena for geopolitical competition, but as a partner with whom we share common interests in building a fair world order.
Prof. Bolarinwa, while speaking on "Russia and the Geo-political Shifts in West Africa," said that West Africa is at the very epicentre of the great shifts in geopolitics as it is witnessing today.
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Represented by Prof Godwin Ichimi, Director of International Cooperation, NIIA, he linked it to Russia's strategic recalibration across the entire region of West Africa and the Sahel.
Prof. Bolarinwa examined the inequalities and economic pragmatism that facilitated Russia's presence in West Africa and the Sahel.
For Prof. Bolarinwa, "the concept of geopolitics explores how geography, power, and strategy intersect to shape international relations.
"In West Africa, geopolitical realignment is underway," according to him, "driven by shifts in global power structures and alliances."
He noted that Russia's engagement in West Africa is a multi-faceted phenomenon, driven by Moscow's desire to challenge Western dominance, secure strategic resources, and expand its global influence and presence.
"Russia's bilateral ambitions in West Africa are targeted essentially at securing access to strategic resources, expanding its military presence, and promoting its economic interests. The region's growing energy sector, particularly in countries like Nigeria and Ghana, presents opportunities for Russia's investment and cooperation."
Russia's engagement in the region, according to him, reflects its broader strategy to challenge Western dominance.
