Nigerians in Russia have called on Vice President Kashim Shettima to follow up on Russia’s energy projects in Africa. One of the Nigerian community leaders in Russia, Mr. Gerrard Obinali, urged the Federal Government to ensure the country benefits from, at least, one of 30 energy projects promised by Russian President, Vladimir Putin, to Africa.
   
Obinali, the CEO of Lacabana Group in Russia, said this during an interactive session between the Nigerian community and Shettima.  He said previous commitments from a summit in 2019 did not yield results, probably because follow-up was lacking on the side of the Nigerian government. 
    
The interactive meeting was part of side activities at the Russia-Africa Summit, which took place between July 27 and July 28 in Russia. Putin opened the second Russia-Africa summit with an announcement: “In the coming months, we will be able to provide free deliveries of 25,000 to 50,000 tonnes of grains to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea.”

He clarified that deliveries should begin “within three or four months.” He revealed that over 30 energy projects involving Russian companies were in progress across 16 African countries. He also highlighted the role of Russian companies in developing oil and gas fields, and significant increase in exports of crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas to Africa. 
   
At the summit, Shettima expressed Nigeria’s intention to foster genuine economic partnership with Russia. He said his team had come to Russia to sell the Nigeria dream and seek opportunities, not assistance. He said sectors of interest include agriculture, trade and investment.
   
Shettima added: “Nigeria is now at a new dawn to chart and reposition its destiny for greatness, going by current measures adopted by the Bola Tinubu administration to diversify the economy and address emerging challenges. The government is taking decisive steps to fight crime, punish offenders, directly tackle insurgency, and do everything necessary to secure lives and investments in the country.”