By Abubakar Abdullahi Musa
In recent days, Nigeria’s cyberspace has been filled with news of the death of Adam Anas, a Nigerian man from Kano, who was reportedly killed while fighting for Russia in Ukraine. Adam travelled to Russia in November 2025 with three other Nigerians, including Akinlawon Tunde, Abugu Onyeka, and Balogun Ridwan. They were lured by a Nigerian agent with the promise of a high-paying security job. The deceased left behind a wife and three young children.
Currently, over 2,500 Nigerian students are studying in Russia across various cities, including Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kazan, Belgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, and Tomsk. Most of these students are on fully funded scholarships, while a few are self-funded. These students followed a legal and rigorous process to go to Russia, from submitting competitive applications to receiving offers, applying for visas, and arriving, all without the help of any agents.
I am one of the beneficiaries of the 2024 Russian Scholarship Project, and I have been in Russia for about two years now. All scholarship students receive full tuition, a monthly stipend, and comfortable accommodation in the dormitories. Based on my experience and to the best of my knowledge, no student is forced or lured into joining the army.
For young people considering coming to Russia, the best way is the study route. Many scholarships are available, including the Russian Scholarship Project (Open Doors), the Russian Government Scholarship (Bilateral), and university-specific scholarships across various programs, including Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees. These scholarships cover full tuition, accommodation, and a monthly stipend.
Additionally, with a student visa, you can apply to work like any other person if you wish, with no limit to the number of hours you can work. It is your responsibility to balance your studies and work. Throughout the entire process, from application and visa issuance to arrival, study, and work, you don’t need to know anyone or use an agent. Everything is based on merit; all you need is commitment, consistency, and resilience.
May the deceased rest in peace, amin.
Abubakar Abdullahi Musa studies in Russia and sent this article via career.aamusa@gmail.com.