«MGIMO Days» in Abuja
On March 30-31, Abuja hosted the first events as part of «MGIMO Days» in Nigeria. The MGIMO delegation, led by Ekaterina Shuvalova, Advisor to the Rector’s Office – Deputy Vice-Rector for Youth Policy, Social Work, and International Relations, held a presentation of MGIMO at the Russian Embassy in Nigeria. Among the members of the MGIMO delegation were also Valery Zhuchkov, MGIMO Analyst, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Program Committee for the «Russia–Africa: What’s Next?» Forum, and Varvara Potapova, Chairperson of the Student Secretariat for the «Russia–Africa: What’s Next?» Forum.
The presentation of MGIMO and the «Russia–Africa: What’s Next?» Forum at the Embassy brought together over 150 participants, including schoolchildren and their parents, media representatives, and youth leaders. It is worth noting that this was the first presentation of a Russian university in Nigeria. During the event, university representatives spoke about MGIMO educational programs, admission rules, Russian language courses for foreign citizens, the International Olympiad for schoolchildren, the InteRussia program, the «Russia–Africa: What’s Next?» Forum, and other opportunities provided by the University. Special attention was paid to the announcement of the upcoming International Youth Festival, which will take place in September.
As part of the visit, the MGIMO delegation met with Andrei Podelyshev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Nigeria. The parties discussed opportunities for expanding cooperation in the field of education between Russia and Nigeria. Mr. Podelyshev highly praised the University’s efforts in attracting international students and developing youth exchanges, noting that humanitarian cooperation and the training of qualified specialists play a key role in the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The MGIMO delegation also held talks with Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Nigeria and Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Reform. The meeting was also attended by Oluwole Oke, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of Nigeria’s Parliament. The meeting was fruitful as the parties confirmed a mutual interest in developing educational cooperation, including through professional development programs for members of the Nigerian Parliament.
Later in the day, the MGIMO delegation met with Joseph Ochugwu, Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Special attention was paid to cooperation in the field of international relations research. The Nigerian side also expressed interest in organizing online lectures by MGIMO professors on the multipolar world and Russia’s approach to shaping it.
As part of developing relations with Nigerian educational institutions, a meeting was held with Hakeem Fawehinmi, Rector of the University of Abuja. An agreement was reached on developing inter-university relations through academic exchanges. Both sides reaffirmed their intention to sign a Memorandum of Understanding.
During the visit, the MGIMO delegation met with Collins Agu, Head of the «Soyuznik» Association of Soviet and Russian Alumni in Abuja. The sides discussed various ways to inform Nigerian youth about educational opportunities at MGIMO. Particular attention was paid to a meeting with Sadiq Shehu Masallah, Head of the ASWAN recruitment company. The sides discussed the recruitment of Nigerian students for preparatory Russian language programs.
The delegation’s visit will continue with a series of events in Lagos.
MGIMO extends its gratitude to the Russian Embassy in Nigeria for its assistance in organizing «MGIMO Days» in Nigeria.