Nigeria and Russia Sign New Agreements

President Buhari and President Putin signed an expansive deal incorporating military cooperation, transport and energy, at the Russia-Africa Summit yesterday.

The summit, held in the Black Sea port city of Sochi, has brought together the heads of over 40 African nations to discuss future agreements between Russia and the African continent. 

A statement released by Buhari’s presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, said that the two leaders had agreed to rapidly improve cooperation between Nigeria and Russia, and would aim the complete abandoned projects initiated by each country.

Amongst the issues discussed, terrorism was high up on the agenda.  Putin has pledged to give Russia’s full support to Nigeria in combatting groups like Boko Haram.

“President Putin expressed further determination to secure Nigeria and the rest of Africa from terrorists.  He told President Buhari that 2,000 ex-ISIS terrorists joined Boko Haram last year” that statement continued.

The summit is a sign that Russia is looking to expand its influence into Africa, a region that was usually the domain of European powers owing to its colonial ties.

However, the last two decades have seen a huge surge in Chinese investment, which many have described as ‘debt-trap diplomacy’.  

Putin is hoping Russia can too join in on the act, with this week’s summit displaying intent.