The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has strongly denied recent allegations that Nigerian youths are being subjected to forced labour in Russian factories, including those involved in drone production.
In a statement posted Thursday on the Embassy’s official Facebook page, the mission described the report—originally published by Leadership newspaper—as “provocative” and filled with “unsubstantiated accusations.”
It dismissed claims that Russia violated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
“The material is clearly custom-made,” the Embassy stated.
“Any suggestion of violations of these standards within the Russian Federation is groundless and unconfirmed by any facts.”
Criticizing the publication for what it described as a lack of journalistic rigor, the Embassy urged media outlets to verify their sources before publication.
“In the pursuit of exclusivity, we must not forget what real journalism is,” it added.
The mission further noted that Leadership did not contact the Embassy for clarification or comment prior to publishing the report.
It invited the newspaper to submit detailed information or evidence to support its claims, particularly regarding any specific instances of rights violations involving Nigerian citizens.
Reaffirming its commitment to Nigeria, the Embassy emphasized that Russia values its bilateral relationship with the country and remains focused on strengthening cooperation in areas such as education, the economy, and cultural exchange.
“We remain open to dialogue and are ready to discuss any issues with representatives of the press,” the statement read.
The Leadership report had raised concerns about allegedly harsh working conditions for Nigerians in Russian industrial facilities, especially within the defense manufacturing sector.
The article sparked mixed reactions, including calls for further investigation.
As of the time of this report, Nigerian authorities have not issued an official response to the allegations.