sMoscow is always open to come to Nigeria's aid, and this is embodied in the field of education and both nation's way of thinking among other things, Mohammed Abubakar Mohammed, Senior Special Advisor on Solid Minerals Development to the Executive Governor of Nigeria's Kwara State told Sputnik Africa.
"Russia is always there to watch our back," Mohammed noted.
According to the official, this is applicable to the field of education, where the Russian government is expanding scholarships to Nigerians.
Mohammed also argued that Nigerians and Russians are "the same in terms of our thinking, in terms of working together, in terms of making positive impact."
"So we've always been together and we will continue to be together," the official concluded.
In addition, Mohammed commented on the countries' cooperation in the military sphere, which is governed by the agreement on military cooperation, signed in 2017 and updated in 2021.
According to the advisor, the deal has benefited the training of the Nigerian military, especially intelligence units, who "are more active now than before."
"We have very good intelligence gathering now, and that has been the help of knowledge sharing, in terms of training our armed forces to come here [in Russia] for courses," Mohammed remarked.
The official added that such cooperation brings gains not only to Nigeria but also, more broadly, to other African countries to which Abuja can provide assistance.
"Nigeria is the giant of Africa. You know, whatever we are doing, we don't only consider ourselves, we also consider our sister countries and countries nearby to give them some of this assistance," he said. "So if Russia concentrate more on Nigeria, then Nigeria can actually extend this gesture to other African nations."
In late May, Prince Ologbese Adeboboye, honorary commissioner for regional integration in Nigeria told Sputnik Africa that with the new President, Bola Tinubu, coming to power in Nigeria, the government of the West African country is going to strengthen ties with Russia.
"Russia-Nigeria relationship has been built over years with respect to trade and investment," he said in May.
On July 27-28, the second Russia-Africa Summit is underway in St. Petersburg, Russia's cultural capital. The first day of the event featured speeches by the Russian President, African leaders and prominent political figures on the prospects for Russia-Africa cooperation.