The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has firmly rejected recent media reports published by a Nigerian outlet, which accused Russia of exploiting Nigerian youths in its factories—specifically those allegedly engaged in the production of military drones.
In a Facebook post shared on the official page of the Russian Embassy on Thursday, the mission described the publication as “provocative” and filled with “unsubstantiated accusations,” including claims that Russia violated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The Russian mission expressed concern over what was described as a lack of due diligence by the newspaper, urging media outlets to adhere to verified information and professional standards of journalism.
The statement in parts, “The material is clearly custom-made. Any suggestion of violations of these standards within the Russian Federation is groundless and unconfirmed by any facts.
“We declare that the publishing house of Leadership would do well to check the information before publication and be guided only by verified facts from reliable sources. In the pursuit of exclusivity, we must not forget what real journalism is,” the statement read.
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Reaffirming its commitment to strong bilateral ties, the Embassy emphasized that Russia values its partnership with Nigeria and is committed to enhancing cooperation across key sectors such as education, economy, and culture.
It also noted that the newspaper did not reach out to the Embassy for clarification or comment before publishing the story.
“We remain open to dialogue and are ready to discuss any issues with representatives of the press,” the statement added.
The Russian Embassy, in its concluding remarks, called on Leadership newspaper to provide comprehensive details regarding any alleged violations of Nigerian citizens’ rights, urging that such claims be backed with verifiable evidence.
The request follows a report published by Leadership raising alarm over purportedly exploitative working conditions faced by Nigerians employed in Russian facilities, especially within the defense manufacturing sector.
The publication has sparked a wave of reactions, ranging from concern to skepticism, with many demanding a thorough probe into the matter.
As of now, Nigerian government officials have yet to respond publicly or issue an official statement addressing the allegations.