Russia has pledged comprehensive military support to Nigeria in its ongoing battle against insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP. On April 28, 2025, Lieutenant General Andrei Averianov, representing President Vladimir Putin, met with Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, in Abuja to convey this commitment. The support encompasses the provision of weapons, tactical training, intelligence sharing, and operational expertise, aiming to bolster Nigeria's counterterrorism efforts.​

During the meeting, Averianov emphasized Russia's readiness to deepen defense ties with Nigeria, recognizing the country as a significant regional power and a critical stakeholder in the global fight against terrorism. He noted that Russia is currently engaged in operations against 39 adversary nations and has developed advanced counterterrorism methods it is willing to share with Nigeria.​

General Musa welcomed the Russian delegation, highlighting the importance of expanded cooperation in areas such as special operations training, intelligence sharing, equipment maintenance, and logistics support. He also stressed the urgent need for assistance in maintaining Russian-made platforms currently in Nigeria's possession, many of which are unserviceable due to a lack of spare parts. In response, Averianov assured that Russia would provide the necessary spare parts and deploy technical experts to Nigeria .​

This renewed defense cooperation builds upon the military-technical cooperation agreement signed between Nigeria and Russia in August 2021, which established a legal framework for the supply of military equipment, training of personnel, and technology transfer . The latest developments signify a strengthening of bilateral relations, with both nations committed to addressing shared security challenges.