The Russian government has officially rejected recent claims suggesting that Nigerian youths, especially young women, are being deceived into working in drone factories under the cover of scholarship programs. In a statement issued on May 13 via a verified social media channel, the Russian authorities described the allegations as baseless and part of a “Western-sponsored smear campaign.” These denials come amid rising media scrutiny, particularly from Nigerian outlets, focusing on activities within the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan.

According to the reports, Nigerian students who believed they were receiving vocational training under scholarship schemes were instead allegedly deployed in military drone assembly related to the Ukraine conflict. The Russian statement dismissed these reports as fictional and accused unidentified “pro-Western authors” of fabricating stories involving human trafficking and forced labor. Officials emphasized that Alabuga SEZ, established in 2006, operates transparently and efficiently, and claimed that stories of exploitation and deception are entirely untrue.

Despite Russia’s rebuttal, investigations by reputable organizations—including the Associated Press and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime—have unearthed troubling evidence. Their findings suggest that Nigerian secondary school graduates were recruited under a government-endorsed scheme but were instead made to work in military production. Some individuals reportedly expected training in hospitality or other trades, yet found themselves assembling drones, with a few allegedly injured during military strikes on the facility.

While the Russian government emphasized its support for Africa and condemned what it called a “colonial narrative,” critics argue that the official statement failed to address the concrete claims presented in independent reports. Human rights groups have voiced concern about the use of vulnerable foreign labor in wartime industries and are urging both Nigerian and Russian authorities to clarify the nature, safety, and transparency of such international programs, especially when they involve young and underinformed participants.