The U.S. government says Nigeria’s education ministry “despite red flags” helped promote the Alabuga Start programme used by the Russian government to “fraudulently” recruit Nigerians into its army to fight in Ukraine.

The U.S. Department of State, in its 2026 Trafficking in Persons report on Nigeria, highlighted the role of Nigeria’s education ministry in Russia’s fraudulent recruitment of Nigerians to fight in Ukraine.

“Sources reported Nigeria’s Ministry of Education helped promote Russia’s Alabuga Start program despite red flags in the recruitment process,” the report stated. “Russian authorities fraudulently recruit and use Nigerians to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.”

The Russian embassy in Nigeria did not immediately reply to Peoples Gazette’s request for comment.

Checks by Peoples Gazette found a statement by the education ministry announcing the Alabuga Start programme and encouraging Nigerians to apply through a link to a Russian recruitment portal.

“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 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 USD), as monthly stipend, transportation allowance, and a guarantee of employment upon completion of studies,” said the ministry’s statement.

In May, a Nigerian, Ayebusiwa Victor, a native of Ondo, was killed by Ukrainian forces as he was fighting as a mercenary for Russia. Ukrainian authorities said Mr Victor was the 25th Nigerian mercenary killed by its forces, adding Russia recruited at least 215 Nigerians to fight Ukraine.