Abstract: This paper responds to an existing demand to take Africa as a continent out of a place of exception and marginality while placing it at the center of international relations and world politics. The rapid growth of the study and research of international relations in Nigeria is commendable as it challenges the structural and epistemic biases of International Relations that render the contributions of the continent invisible. The relevance of this paper is to provide and maintain means of information upon international relations questions in Nigeria and to promote the influence of Nigeria on the African continent and beyond.This study adopts data collection and a descriptive summary, as well as the use of secondary data analysis.The scientific novelty consists in the entrance of new knowledge of data obtained by analyzing materials on the researches and prospects made by Nigeria government and privately owned institutions and universities to enhance Nigeria’s stand in the international arena. As accounted for, International Relations study and its related courses are being taught and researched in 31 Universities in Nigeria.

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.