'Alternative to Western System': Expert Reflects on Nigerian FM's Visit to Moscow

By drawing closer to Russia, African countries are trying to pave the way for BRICS and gain an alternative to the Western-inspired system that has not benefited African states, Prof. Lere Amusan, Professor of International Relations of Bowen University in Nigeria, told Sputnik Africa, commenting on the visit of Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar to Russia.

"The rationale behind African countries moving towards Russia is perhaps to have a way of joining BRICS, which is a prototype of South-South cooperation that the majority of developing states have been calling for. So by extension, if they are able to move closer to Russia, they will be able to have alternatives to the Western-inspired financial, economic and political system that has not been to the advantage of African states," he noted.

The expert also revealed the difference between Russia's approach to developing countries and that of the West. According to him, Moscow is ready to help transfer technology to developing countries, while the approach of Western countries is based on "perpetuating underdevelopment."

"The Western powers are not ready to release their technology to any developing state because the development of developing states is going to be antithetical to the development of the Western power. And that is exactly what Vladimir Putin and some other political leaders in Russia are guiding against," Amusan pointed out.

He added that Russia is ready to help in terms of technology transfer without transferring the relevant technologies, while technology transfer from the West is a "Greek gift," which leads to even greater reliance on them.

"By the time you export your technology and at the same time you don't let go the transfer of the expertise to the country, definitely it's going to be a problem. Russia under Vladimir Putin is trying to let the African leaders realize that without America, everyone will never fall," the expert said.

Exploring opportunities for cooperation between Russia and Nigeria, Amusan noted Nigeria's growing demand for nuclear power, which is useful for agriculture and energy supply and Russia's level in this sphere.

"If Nigeria this time around is able to come up with a transparent negotiation without looking for kickbacks, without thinking of corruption, I believe it's going to be a fantastic development for Nigeria. So nuclear power is long overdue in Nigeria. When you look into the population of Nigeria, the mineral resources available in Nigeria, and the need to ensure full security in the country, there is a need for nuclear power," the professor explained.

Nigerian Foreign Minister Tuggar said at a conference after meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov that the two countries are cooperating on nuclear energy. Russian top diplomat Lavrov also revealed that Moscow and Abuja intend to strengthen cooperation in the energy and agriculture sectors.

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The expert also commented on the Nigerian government's statement of support for Russia's idea of digital currency payments, noting that the approach is beneficial for the West African nation and its fight against corruption, and stressed support for de-dollarization on the continent and in his country.

"So if the de-dollarization is in place, definitely so many countries will be led out of the hook of these western-inspired economic challenges that majority of African states are facing," Amusan said.

The professor concluded that Nigeria has a "fantastic economy" with mineral resources that can "transform the whole of the continent out of the present bondage that we find ourselves in."