Nigeria and Russia have taken significant steps toward deepening cultural, creative, and tourism ties following a high-level diplomatic meeting held in Abuja.

During the meeting, Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy welcomed His Excellency A.L. Podelyshev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Nigeria, for strategic talks focused on broadening cooperation in the areas of arts, cultural diplomacy, creative industries, tourism, and education.

The session also featured key Nigerian officials, including Mr Faiz Imam, Chief Principal Adviser to the Minister, and Mr Obi Asika, Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC). Discussions centred on practical steps for collaboration under Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Acknowledging that over 70% of Nigeria’s population is under 18, the Honourable Minister stressed the importance of youth engagement as a core element of Nigeria’s global partnerships. She highlighted art, culture, tourism, and creative industries as effective tools for empowering young Nigerians, strengthening national identity, and addressing issues such as climate change and social inclusion.

Key Areas for Cooperation: Film, Fashion, Festivals, and Performing Arts

Both sides identified promising sectors for immediate collaboration, including:

  • Joint film productions and audiovisual projects

  • Cultural festivals and heritage exhibitions

  • Fashion industry partnerships and innovation

  • Performing arts exchanges involving music, theatre, and traditional dance.

These initiatives aim to foster cultural exchange, stimulate enterprise, and expand creative capacity in both nations.

Education and Scholarship Exchange

Education emerged as another key focus. The Russian Federation currently offers 220 fully funded scholarships to Nigerian students annually. Officials explored opportunities to increase this number through greater cooperation with Nigeria’s Ministry of Education, enabling more Nigerian youths to gain global academic and creative experience.

Reviving a Longstanding Cultural Agreement

Ambassador Podelyshev reaffirmed Russia’s strong interest in expanding cultural cooperation with Nigeria. He announced plans to resubmit a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cultural collaboration through diplomatic channels for Nigeria’s review and approval. Nigeria welcomed the initiative and pledged to expedite the review process.

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Mr Obi Asika praised Russia’s rich cultural heritage—especially in dance and fashion—and expressed Nigeria’s readiness to partner through cultural programming, joint performances, and fashion showcases. He highlighted strong synergies between Nigeria’s National Dance Troupe and Russian cultural institutions.

Nigeria Invited to Prestigious Kazan Cultural Fair 2025

In a notable development, Russia invited Nigeria to participate in the Kazan Cultural Fair in Tatarstan, scheduled for November 2025. This global event will allow Nigeria to showcase its vibrant culture, creative industries, and rich artistic legacy on the world stage.

Digital Preservation of Cultural Heritage

Russian experts also proposed partnerships to help Nigeria digitally preserve its cultural heritage through advanced technologies such as 3D scanning, virtual reality, and archaeological rescue missions. This proposal aligns with Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to digitize and protect historic sites and cultural monuments.

Tourism Collaboration on the Agenda

Tourism was another key area of discussion. Both parties explored the possibility of collaborations between Nigeria’s tourism authorities and Russia’s Ministry of Economy, which oversees domestic tourism. Nigeria expressed interest in establishing two-way tourism exchanges to promote cultural understanding and economic opportunities.

Creative Economy as a Growth Engine

Mr Faiz Imam presented highlights from The Creative Economy Handbook, which outlines Nigeria’s ambition to create two million jobs and contribute $100 billion toward its goal of achieving a $1 trillion GDP by 2030. He stressed that strategic global partnerships—especially in sectors like fashion—are vital to realizing these targets.

Action Plan for Swift Implementation

To ensure concrete results, the Honourable Minister proposed selecting one or two priority projects for immediate action. Both countries agreed to appoint focal points to drive technical coordination, monitor progress, and deliver measurable outcomes in the short term.

A Shared Vision for Cultural Diplomacy

In closing, the Honourable Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s leadership in advancing African and global cultural diplomacy. “When Nigeria works, Africa works—and when Africa works, the world follows,” she stated, underscoring the country’s pivotal role in shaping a more connected and inclusive global cultural landscape.

The meeting concluded with strong commitments from both sides to foster long-term partnerships in arts, culture, tourism, and creative industries, marking a new chapter in Nigeria-Russia relations.