Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians, especially those living in Russia, that the country under the administration of President Bola Tinubu will work again.

He gave the assurance late Friday in St Petersburg at a forum with members of the Nigerian community in Russia.

Shettima, who was addressing concerns raised by members of the community, said: “Be rest assured that in the next nine to 12 months, there will be a swift change in the fortunes of Nigeria. I’m talking with all sense of certainty and responsibility, because I believe in the capacity and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

Speaking on the administration’s efforts to reposition the economy, the Vice President said: “We are here for the Africa-Russia Summit, but we are also here fundamentally to pursue the completion of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex and revival of the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON).

“It’s going to be a game changer. Having a vibrant steel industry is a sine qua non for the industrial take off of any nation. I can bet you, I can promise you that the president will bring Ajaokuta to a reality.

“Be rest assured that if there is one legacy that Tinubu would bequeath to fellow Nigerians, Ajaokuta is one. I’ll come back to Russia, we are going to drive this process, and my leader, my boss and principal – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is irrevocably committed to Ajaokuta and to ALSCON.”

Speaking further on the prospects for Nigeria’s transformation, the vice president said that the Tinubu administration is poised to harness the vast human and material resources to put the country on the path of sustainable development and growth.

According to him, “This is the land of opportunities; we have the landmass and vibrant youth population. By 2035, there will be 65 million talent deficit in the world; America, Russia, Brazil will all suffer 6 million talent deficit. And Nigeria with a vibrant young population will be expected to fill the gap.

“So, opportunities abound in the digital space. Our target is to train 1,000,000 Nigerians in digital skills.”

Representatives of the Nigerian community, in separate remarks, commended the initiatives of the Tinubu administration to actively engage with the Russian government to improve relations between Nigeria and Russia.

Present at the forum were Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia, Ambassador Shehu Abdullahi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Gabriel Aduda; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mrs. Mary Ogbe; President of Nigerian Community in Russia, Dr Maurice Okoli, and Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora (NIDO), Russia, Mr Sampson Uwem, among others.

In a related development, Vice President Kashim Shettima, yesterday, in St. Petersburg, attended the second edition of the Annual Arts Exhibition of the Nigerian Embassy, titled, “I imagine Nigeria,” which showcased art works by young Russian artists.

Besides seeing art works exhibited at the event and presenting gift prizes to young Russian artists, Shettima in a brief remark, emphasised the importance of cultural diplomacy, noting its potential in deepening ties between Nigeria and Russia.