Nigeria and Russia are poised to strengthen bilateral ties using the platform of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (WBA).

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, stated this on Tuesday at the stakeholders’ interactive session during the visit of the Russian Chapter of the BRICKS Women’s Business Alliance at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

She described the meeting as timely noting that it afforded platform for both countries to explore investment opportunities between them.

Though, Nigeria and Russia share decades of friendship, cooperation, and solidarity cutting across education, defence, energy, technology, and multilateral diplomacy, she declared that the moment demanded that they went beyond history and looked boldly into the future.

The minister acknowledged that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration was charting new course through the Renewed Hope Agenda and the 4-Ds foreign policy approach; encompassing Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.

She stated that the priorities of the administration involved inclusive growth, youth empowerment, and active engagement with global partners, which according to her were principles that resonate strongly with the mission of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu lauded the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for hosting the event, calling her an excellent example of the transformative power of women in shaping societies and building bridges across nations.

Welcoming the Russian delegation, on behalf of the First Lady, the minister said the decision of its Chairperson, Ms. Anna Nesterova, to bring the dynamism of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance to Nigeria, was a strong affirmation of her commitment to building inclusive economic partnerships.

It also underlined the central role women were playing in reshaping global business, diplomacy, and investment for the 21st century.

Parts of the minister’s speech read: “In this regard, allow me to commend our gracious host, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for her tireless commitment to advancing the cause of women and girls. Through initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda, she has championed women’s empowerment programmes, education for the girl-child, and support systems that enable women to thrive in business, politics, and community development. Her leadership continues to inspire Nigerian women to break barriers, embrace innovation, and contribute more actively to national progress. It is most fitting that this session, in honour of the Russian Chapter of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance, is hosted under her distinguished guidance.

“The technical session before us offers an invaluable opportunity to explore areas of strategic cooperation. In trade and investment, Nigeria’s vast market, natural resources, and youthful population, combined with Russia’s technological expertise and industrial capacity, present opportunities for win-win partnerships. In agriculture, collaboration can modernise production and boost food security. In energy, both traditional and renewable, there is enormous scope for cooperation. In digital innovation and education, we can empower our youth with the tools of the future. And across all these sectors, the active participation of women entrepreneurs and leaders will ensure that the gains of our partnership are sustainable, inclusive, and people-centred.

“I wish to stress that this gathering is more than a symbolic event. It must serve as a platform for actionable outcomes, identifying frameworks for cooperation, establishing joint ventures, and building enduring networks between Nigerian and Russian women entrepreneurs. Particular opportunities exist in agro-processing, education, creative industries, small and medium enterprises, and technology-driven businesses, sectors where women are already leading and innovating. By facilitating access to finance, knowledge, and markets, we can strengthen the economic pillars of both our nations.

“Let me conclude by affirming Nigeria’s readiness to work closely with our Russian counterparts, and by extension the BRICS platform, to promote inclusive prosperity. We are confident that the discussions here today will provide a road map for stronger bilateral relations, deeper people-to-people connections, and new opportunities that will uplift the lives of our citizens.”

•PHOTO: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, with stakeholders’ during the visit of the Russian Chapter of Women’s Business Alliance (WBA) . . . Tuesday