The government of Russia has denied reports claiming that Nigerian youths are being lured to work in Russian drone factories in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Alabuga, Tatarstan.
The Russian government dismissed the allegations as a “Western-sponsored smear campaign.”
The government, in a press statement further described the coverage as being rooted in a “colonial narrative,” asserting that Russia respects the sovereignty and dignity of other nations, particularly African states.
The statement reads in part: “For your information: The Special Economic Zone Alabuga was created in 2006 and remains one of the most efficient development zones in Russia.
“Some publications have alleged that Nigerians were lured with promises of education and high-paying jobs, only to end up working under exploitative conditions. These claims are entirely unfounded.
“We support Africa and other countries in the fight against terrorism and the remnants of colonialism.
“Accusations that we exploit foreign students for military production are politically motivated and lack credible evidence.”
This comes after reports surfaced accusing Russian authorities of allegedly luring Nigerian students and young women with false promises of educational scholarships and high-paying jobs, only to subject them to exploitative labor conditions in some factories producing military drones for the Ukraine conflict.
These individuals, some as young as 15, were reportedly tasked with hazardous materials under grueling conditions at the Russian drone factories.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the Alabuga SEZ, established in 2006, has been a key hub for Russia’s drone production.
Since the start of the war with Ukraine, the factories have needed an expansion of workforce driven.
Documents suggest the factory’s workforce grew from under 900 in 2023 to about 2,600 by 2025, with many recruits from African nations, including Nigeria.
The report also linked the Nigerian government to being allegedly involved in the alleged scheme of luring Nigerian youths to work in Russian drone factories.
The alleged link surfaced after a letter issued by the Federal Ministry of Education’s Federal Scholarship Board went viral.
The letter, bearing official insignia, appeared to invite Nigerian youths to apply for the Alabuga Start program.
It listed a variety of academic disciplines, including Industrial Automation and Electrical Installation.
Part of the letter reads: “The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Russia is notifying Nigerians about the Alabuga Start Programme, which has an offer of one hundred and fifty (150) scholarships to international students to compete for scholarship slots in Alabuga Polytech.
“Alabuga Polytech offers undergraduate programs in Industrial Robotics, Industrial Automation, Electrical Installation, Laboratory Chemical Analysis, Information Systems and Programming, as well as Maintenance and Repair of Radio Electronic Equipment.
“Successful applicants will be entitled to free accommodation, 20,000 Rubles (about $300) as a monthly stipend, transportation allowance, and a guarantee of employment upon completion of studies.
“To be eligible for the program, applicants must learn 100 Russian words, reach ‘level 1’ in analytics and communication, play a game of ‘Business Cats,’ and take part in a face-to-face interview.”
However, following the escalation of the allegations, Nigerian authorities have distanced themselves from the controversy, stating they do not know the Russian work-study program.
In a statement through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it stated that it neither facilitated nor endorsed the recruitment. The government also emphasized that it had not approved any agency to send Nigerians abroad under such a scheme.
