Russia displacing US in Africa as Nigeria sidles up to Kremlin for counter-terrorism weapons America withholds

If Nigeria matters in the renewed scramble by the West for footholds in Africa, the US is apparently losing grounds to Russia and China which keep endearing themselves to Africa.

As the US works to whip Nigeria into shape over rights abuse by withholding access to America-grade weaponry even as insecurity ravages the nation, Russia has opened its door.

Besides the Kremlin assisting Nigeria in providing weapons, maintenance, and training, establishment of nuclear energy plants is also tucked into the deal.

According to a statement by the Nigerian embassy in Russia, Nigeria, to this effect, has signed a military-technical cooperation agreement with the Russian government.

The agreement which provides a legal framework for the supply and servicing of military equipment, training of personnel as well as technology transfer, was signed in Russia on Monday, the statement said.

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd.) who led a delegation of top military officials to Russia on an official assignment, signed on behalf of the Nigerian government while Dmitry Shugaev, Director of the Federal Service for military-Technical Cooperation signed on behalf of Russia.

The Nigerian Ambassador to Russia, Prof. Abdullahi Shehu, Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Auwal Gambo, and representatives from the army and air Force formed the Nigerian delegation at the signing ceremony.

The new agreement marks the termination of the 20-year long similar agreement entered into by both countries on March 6, 2001.

More of such agreements have been going on all along.

Recall that in 2017 and 2019, the Russian government signed military cooperation and trade agreements with Nigeria.

The 2017 agreement allows Nigerian servicemen to be trained in Russia’s military educational establishments while both countries will exchange peacekeeping experience in fighting piracy and terrorism.

In the 2019 agreement, the cooperation extended from military collaboration to oil and gas as well as rail development and trade, among others.

The agreement which was then signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Summit also sought the advancement of a nuclear power plant in Nigeria.

On his part, while declaring open the 7th International military-technical Forum – Army 2021, President Vladimir Putin of Russia stated that contracts for the supply of Russian military equipment had been concluded.

“Massive mutually beneficial portfolios of contracts for the supply of Russian military goods are concluded on the forum‘s sidelines every year.

“The forum has on display over 28,000 units of modern military arms and equipment ranging from small firearms to artillery, tanks, and military combat aircraft.

“Our army and navy are being modernised at a fast pace as they receive the latest-generation military assets. For example, the share of modern weapons in the strategic nuclear forces is over 80 per cent now.

“This is more than in other nuclear countries,” he said.