Russia-Nigeria military cooperation to continue no matter what – Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar

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Russia-Nigeria military cooperation to continue no matter what – Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar

11:49 CAT | 06 Mar 2024

Photo: @mfa_russia/X

Nigeria intends to develop military and trade cooperation with Russia no matter what, Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

“The discussions were very fruitful, very meaningful. And of course, the relations between Nigeria and Russia [are] historic <…>. We have a joint commission in place, between the two countries, a meeting will be coming up soon. And within that framework, there several efforts that are going to be taken to improve trade relations, to improve military cooperation. We have, of course, a committee that is going to be constituted soon. With all of that we have collaboration vis-a-vis – nuclear science, which has different applications, power, in the field of medicine and so on and so forth,” he said during a press conference.

The minister emphasized that Nigeria will develop military cooperation with Russia no matter what.

Lavrov, for his part, said Russia will continue to help African countries improve their combat capabilities to repel persistent threats.

🇷🇺🇳🇬 FM Sergey #Lavrov during talks with FM @YusufTuggar in Moscow:

💬 We consider Nigeria a priority partner on the African continent.

Our joint work to promote bilateral cooperation in [various] areas is becoming more effective.

🔗 https://t.co/SvbteI648Z #RussiaNigeria pic.twitter.com/Rt5C4afzFu

— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) March 6, 2024

Russian and Nigerian foreign ministers hold talks in Moscow

The foreign ministers of Russia and Nigeria held talks in Moscow on Wednesday where they discussed future relations between the two countries.

Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, told his Nigerian counterpart, Yusuf Tuggar, that Moscow sees Nigeria as a priority partner on the African continent.

Tuggar echoed his sentiments.

“The relationship will continue to grow. We feel that we are in a right position to have a very strong strategic relationship with Russia,” he said.

Lavrov also said Moscow would continue to provide assistance to the countries in the Sahara-Sahel region in order to increase their combat capability.

The cross-border region which includes Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, and Guinea, has been plagued by political instability for years.

In the last decade, jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State have been growing in power and influence in the region.

“Russia will provide assistance to countries of the region in increasing the combat capability of their national armed forces, security forces, and law enforcement authorities , in order to counter the threats that persist,” said Lavrov.

As Russia faces criticism over its war in Ukraine, its attempting to increase its influence in the global south. A meeting with African foreign ministers is due to take place in Sochi later this year.