Russia denies funding Nigerian youths waving flags during protests

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov has denied claims that the Russian government supported some Nigerian youths who waved Russian flags during the 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests.

Mr Lavrov spoke in Moscow at the Third Russia-Africa Summit. He answered a question from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He said Russia had no involvement in the actions and distanced Moscow from any effort to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty.

He mentioned that Russia and Nigeria have a strong relationship that dates back to the time of the old Soviet Union.

Mr Lavrov said those who waved Russian flags did so as individuals. He emphasized that this did not mean Russia officially supported their actions.

“Anyone who donned the Russian flag did so in his or her personal capacity. It does not mean that Russia was in support of this kind of action.

“A lot of citizens sympathetic to Palestinians wave Palestinian flags to express solidarity. It does not mean the Palestinian government is behind them,” Mr Lavrov stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests happened from 1 to 10 August 2024. Protesters cited high living costs and economic hardship as reasons for their actions.

NAN also notes that during the protests, groups of protesters, mainly youths and minors in Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Abuja, were seen waving Russian flags and calling for military intervention.

The federal government called this action treasonable and a threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty. It led to the arrest of many protesters and some tailors accused of making the flags.

The Russian Embassy in Abuja had also denied any involvement at that time.

Mr Lavrov pointed out that the strong relationship between Nigeria and Russia had led to an increase in scholarships for Nigerians, reaching 220 in 2026.

He recalled meeting with his Nigerian counterpart in Abuja in 2024. He said he was warmly received and that this strengthened the ties between the two countries.

On defense agreements with some countries in the Sahel, Mr Lavrov mentioned that Russia was helping to tackle security threats in the area. He added that Moscow was aware some Western countries were using Ukrainian mercenaries to disrupt these efforts, similar to what happened in Libya, in a bid to destabilize the region.