By Gloria Ikibah
Nigeria and Russia have restated their commitment to deepen economic cooperation, using the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (WBA) as a platform to drive new opportunities.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ session held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described the engagement with the Russian chapter of the Alliance as timely.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that while Nigeria and Russia already share decades of friendship and collaboration across education, defence, energy, technology and diplomacy, the present moment calls for both countries to move beyond history and embrace fresh possibilities.
Highlighting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the government’s 4-D foreign policy approach—Democracy, Development, Demography and Diaspora—the minister explained that Nigeria’s priorities of inclusive growth, youth empowerment and global partnerships align closely with the mission of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance.
She commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for hosting the event, describing her as “an excellent example of the transformative power of women in shaping societies and building bridges across nations.”
According to her, the initiatives championed by the First Lady, especially in education for the girl-child and women’s empowerment, continue to inspire Nigerian women to innovate, take leadership roles and drive community development.
Welcoming the Russian delegation on behalf of the First Lady, the minister praised Ms Anna Nesterova, Chairperson of the Russian Chapter of the WBA, for bringing the dynamism of the alliance to Nigeria, calling it a strong statement of commitment to building inclusive economic partnerships.
She stressed that women are increasingly at the forefront of reshaping global business, diplomacy and investment in the 21st century, with platforms like the BRICS WBA serving as catalysts for sustainable growth and collaboration.
“The technical session before us offers an invaluable opportunity to explore areas of strategic cooperation. In trade and investment, Nigeria’s vast market, natural resources, and youthful population, combined with Russia’s technological expertise and industrial capacity, present opportunities for win-win partnerships.
“In agriculture, collaboration can modernise production and boost food security. In energy, both traditional and renewable, there is enormous scope for cooperation. In digital innovation and education, we can empower our youth with the tools of the future. And across all these sectors, the active participation of women entrepreneurs and leaders will ensure that the gains of our partnership are sustainable, inclusive, and people-centred.
“I wish to stress that this gathering is more than a symbolic event. It must serve as a platform for actionable outcomes, identifying frameworks for cooperation, establishing joint ventures, and building enduring networks between Nigerian and Russian women entrepreneurs. Particular opportunities exist in agro-processing, education, creative industries, small and medium enterprises, and technology-driven businesses, sectors where women are already leading and innovating. By facilitating access to finance, knowledge, and markets, we can strengthen the economic pillars of both our nations.
“Let me conclude by affirming Nigeria’s readiness to work closely with our Russian counterparts, and by extension the BRICS platform, to promote inclusive prosperity. We are confident that the discussions here today will provide a road map for stronger bilateral relations, deeper people-to-people connections, and new opportunities that will uplift the lives of our citizens.”