Nigeria holds Russia in "very high regards," Chiakor Alfred Orkuma, head of strategic innovation at the Ashcraft Centre for Social Science Research in Abuja, Nigeria, told Sputnik Africa, explaining that the former Soviet Union (USSR) always intervened positively in the national affairs of the West African country.
Orkuma pointed out that during the Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Nigerian-Biafran War or the Biafran War, between the Nigerian army and the secessionist Republic of Biafra in 1967-1970, the Soviet Union provided logistical material and technical support that contributed to Nigeria's victory.
"And so Nigeria holds Russia in very high regards, and I would expect that this will stimulate or create an avenue to further corporate ties and relationships Nigeria has with Russia," the Nigerian expert said on the sidelines of the 9th International Military and Technical Forum (Army-2023) in Moscow Region.
Despite acknowledging that the relationship has had its ups and downs, Orkuma expressed optimism that the boundaries would be smoothed and barriers broken for more robust engagement.
Chiakor Alfred Orkuma, head of strategic innovation at the Ashcraft Centre for Social Science Research in Abuja, Nigeria, poses for a photo on the sidelines of the 9th International Military and Technical Forum (Army-2023), held in Moscow Region, Russia, on August 14-20, 2023.
© Sputnik
Regarding Russian-Nigerian cooperation in the military-technical sphere, the expert acknowledged that the level of engagement between Moscow and Abuja in this area has not been as strong as desired.
However, he expressed hope that the current forum and discussions taking place during the Army-2023 will serve as "a turning point for good and robust engagement in bilateral cooperation militarily."
As for the recent Russia–Africa Summit held in late July, Orkuma noted that Nigeria was represented by its vice president, Kashim Shettima.
"It is too early to assess the impact [of the second Russi–Africa Summit], because it will prepare the ground for the consolidation of the objectives that were discussed," he said.
Army-2023 is an international military-technical event organized by the Russian Ministry of Defense on August 14-20. It features over 28,500 exhibits and 1,500 exhibitors from Russia and abroad showcasing the latest achievements and innovations in the field of defense and security.
President Vladimir Putin delivered an address at the opening ceremony of the forum, where he welcomed the participants and guests and emphasized Moscow's openness to technological partnerships and military-technical cooperation with other countries.