Nigeria and Russia are set to deepen their bilateral relationship through the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (WBA), with a strong focus on investment, innovation, and women’s empowerment.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ interactive session during the visit of the Russian Chapter of the BRICS WBA at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described the engagement as both timely and strategic.
She noted that while both nations already share decades of cooperation in education, defence, energy, technology, and diplomacy, the time had come to build on that foundation and embrace forward-looking initiatives.
Pleased to join the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu in welcoming the Russian Chapter of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance when they paid a courtesy visit to the First Lady at the State House in Abuja, yesterday.
The delegation was led by… pic.twitter.com/anfUIeC95i
— Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu (@Ojukwu_Bianca) October 1, 2025
Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted that the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the 4-Ds foreign policy framework—Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora—align seamlessly with the mission of the BRICS WBA.
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These priorities, she stressed, focus on inclusive growth, youth empowerment, and strengthening partnerships with global allies.
Commending Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for hosting the event, the minister described her as “an excellent example of the transformative power of women in shaping societies and building bridges across nations.”
She praised the First Lady’s efforts in advancing initiatives for women and girls, particularly in education, empowerment, and entrepreneurship.
Welcoming the Russian delegation led by Ms Anna Nesterova, Chairperson of the Russian BRICS WBA Chapter, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said their visit was a strong affirmation of commitment to building inclusive economic partnerships.
She further stressed the central role of women in driving business, diplomacy, and investment globally.
Outlining potential areas of collaboration, the minister identified trade, agriculture, energy, digital innovation, and education as priority sectors where Nigeria and Russia could create “win-win partnerships.”
She emphasised that the active involvement of women entrepreneurs would make such initiatives sustainable and people-centred.
“This gathering must serve as a platform for actionable outcomes,” she stated, calling for frameworks that encourage joint ventures, access to finance, knowledge exchange, and market opportunities, particularly in agro-processing, creative industries, small and medium enterprises, and technology-driven businesses.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu concluded by reaffirming Nigeria’s readiness to work closely with Russia, through the BRICS platform, to promote inclusive prosperity and strengthen people-to-people ties.