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From Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, October 1, 2020

Celebration of Independence Day in the Federal Republic of Nigeria

On October 1, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with which our country traditionally maintains friendly relations, is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its state independence. The Soviet Union established diplomatic relations with Nigeria on November 25, 1960, immediately after its withdrawal from the British protectorate.

The Nigerian people who have a centuries-long history that includes about 300 different religious, linguistic and cultural ethnic groups, demonstrated unity in the face of the British regime and fought together for a long-awaited freedom despite internal differences. Having been through several military coups and the 1967-1970 civil war, the Nigerian state has consistently and dynamically developed, in part, with Soviet support. It traversed an uphill road from an agrarian and raw materials colony to Africa’s biggest economy, an influential member of sub-regional, regional and international organisations and an active participant in the counterterrorism and peacekeeping missions on the continent. During the years of independence, the population of Nigeria has grown from 60 million to over 200 million people.

Today, the authorities of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are generally successful in resolving the tasks of socio-economic development and conduct a well-balanced foreign policy course. We congratulate our partners on their Independence Day and wish them peace, prosperity and wellbeing.

Source: MFA of Russia