Abstract: Abolishing poverty and ensuring improvement of educational development indicators have been described as some of the objectives for international assistance. This study seeks to comprehend the role of Russia in the development of the African continent’s most populous country, Nigeria, the factors that limited their success and the opportunities for increasing effectiveness of such efforts. Russia intervention in Nigeria economic and educational development took a new turn after Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999. The existence of the largest Russian investor (RUSAL) in the Nigeria, the investments of LUKOIL in Nigeria which currently exceeds $450 million, and other well-known Russian companies, including the largest Russian producer of agricultural machinery "Rostselmash", have all made impact in Nigeria economic development. However, the major problem of this duo cooperation lies in the legal ratification of their framework. In Educational sphere, this study ascertains that yearly, more than 100 Nigerian students are given the opportunity to study at Russian universities through Russia-Nigerian intergovernmental agreements. To date, more than 10,000 Nigerian specialists have been trained in Russia. The study drew upon both modernization and dependency theories in advancing understanding on the subject matter. The study employed qualitative method of data collection. Data was analyzed using content analysis.

Abstract: The diplomatic relations between Nigeria and USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) can be traced back to 1960, since which both countries have maintained warm political, economic and cultural relations. The establishment of their relation prompted by the political and military support of the Soviet Union to the Nigerian government during the Nigerian Civil War in 1967 and 1970. This article underlines the aftermath of dissolution of the Soviet Union, which influence in Nigeria and West Africa had drastically reduced. The author examines the traditional diplomatic relations between Russian and Nigeria from the historical perspective, based on the diplomatic theory as a paramount instrument for tracing the existing diplomatic relationship between the two colossal nations. However, in 1991 the Russia Federation being the successor to the Soviet Union proceeded to establish the diplomatic relations with the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Then President Olusegun Obasanjo officially visited Moscow in 2001; both governments signed a declaration on the principles of friendly relationship and partnership. The agreement on the program of bilateral and international relations was also signed.