Nigeria and the Russian Federation on Tuesday celebrated the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, reaffirming their commitment to strengthened bilateral cooperation across key sectors.
Both nations exchanged congratulatory messages to commemorate the milestone, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov praising the “high level of cooperation” between the two countries, built on mutual respect and shared positions on major international issues.
“We remain committed to the steady development and maintenance of active and substantive political dialogue, as well as practical collaboration in trade, economic and humanitarian spheres,” Lavrov said in his message, adding that such ties support sustainable peace and development on the African continent.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, conveyed the federal government’s warm felicitations to Moscow, noting that the 65-year relationship has been defined by “mutual respect, constructive dialogue and shared aspirations for global peace, stability and development.”
Tuggar highlighted longstanding cooperation in defence, education, energy, science and technology, space development, trade, and cultural exchange. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s interest in deeper collaboration, particularly in security, economic development, and people-to-people exchanges.
“As we celebrate this milestone, Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to strengthening partnership in a manner that advances the prosperity of our peoples and contributes to a more just and equitable international order,” he stated.
Diplomatic ties between the two nations were first established on November 25, 1960.
Michael Olugbode
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