Niamey, the capital of Niger, welcomed the opening of the Center for Russian Language and Culture "Russian Space" on Friday, the Russian university, which helped in its establishment, announced.
The new center was created by the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN) with the support of the Russian government.
"The center sets itself ambitious goals, including the development of educational programs for children and adults studying the Russian language, conducting scientific, methodological and educational events, as well as educational work," the statement added.
As part of the opening of the Center, the first classes were held for Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey students, which were conducted by leading teachers of the Russian Language Institute of RUDN University, head of the Russian language department Natalya Pomortseva and Doctor of Philology, Professor Habiba Shagbanova.
Students and teachers of Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey were very enthusiastic about the idea of creating such a center and expressed great interest in learning the Russian language, the statement said.
Earlier this year, during a meeting in Moscow with visiting Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk expressed interest in increasing trade, economic, and investment ties as well as trade turnover with Niger.
Also in January, following a meeting between Nigerien Foreign Minister Bakary Sangare and Defense Minister Salifou Mody with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov in Moscow, the latter stated that Russia is prepared to offer Niger humanitarian aid.