Economy
I’ll Change Recruitment Criteria at RUDN University—Rector
By Kester Kenn Klomegah
In an insightful long-ranging conversation, the newly appointed Rector of the RUDN University (Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia), Oleg Yastrebov, discusses the latest developments, educational reforms, and students’ enrollment as well as cultural diversity in his multinational university.
During his meeting with our Media Executive Kester Kenn Klomegah, Rector Oleg Yastrebov, particularly stressed the importance of effective monitoring and evaluation of students’ performances by the hard-working academic staff. He unreservedly argues that the university staff and academic teams provide the necessary knowledge and cutting-edge skills for young aspiring leaders and that makes the university first-class among many others in the Russian Federation.
RUDN University is an educational institution located in Moscow. Established in 1960, it primarily provides higher education to Third World students during the Soviet days. Many students, especially from developing countries, still come to this popular university from Latin America, Asia and Africa. It is Russia’s most multidisciplinary university, which boasts the largest number of foreign students and offers various academic disciplines. Here are the interview excerpts:
What are your remarks on the popular saying – a new leader, new management approach?
The previous rector of the RUDN University, who is now its president, Professor Vladimir Filippov, gathered a unique scientific and expert team. I am not a new person to them, as a graduate of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia – that is the full name for the RUDN University. I was the head of the Law Institute, so I am familiar with most of the teaching staff. All the administration of the university are all obliged to preserve and strengthen the achievements. We are the most international, the most multidisciplinary and the friendliest university in Russia. I am sure that with the arrival of new people in the team, the university will become even more ambitious, international, digital, and with a new approach to the quality of education. We are a modern university and we are ready to remain a dream university for many bright students.
Quite recently, you assumed the position of rector. What would you count as the marked achievements and success stories during these few years?
Over the past year, RUDN University has strengthened its position among the best universities in the world. We are the greenest university in Russia. More and more talented students are coming to us. Bright international students continue to enrol in RUDN – last year we had new students, for example, from Portugal and Lesotho. We have signed agreements with strong partners – Sistema (the largest Russian investing organization), Kaspersky Lab, and the European Medical Center. I would like to note separately that RUDN was the first in Russia to receive the right to validate and verify greenhouse gas emissions.
What are the current challenges and tasks as you take up the position of rector of the RUDN University?
The first priority is a new approach to recruitment criteria for teachers. These should be people with real professional practical achievements. A teacher who retells books is a transmitter of information, but not a source of new knowledge. We understand that it is important to move on to motivate students and to initiate startups in collaboration with employers. This direction, it creates a competitive environment among students and employers will be able to notice talented students even before their graduation.
We will continue to strengthen science at the university. We integrate successful educational technologies into the education process. We expand the network of partner universities. There is serious progress in a multilingual environment — all our graduates of bachelor’s programs speak at least one foreign language at a serious proficient level. The pan is to make two languages.
I would like to mention here that we updated the whole university environment. The campus is transformed – this is also an important factor for students. Co-working areas, sports and recreation spaces, and dormitory rooms are becoming more stylish and fashionable. It is interesting to say that 300 students have already moved into the rooms in the new design. In fact, 450 rooms are being transformed for the new semester. RUDN was the first university in Russia to open the first multifunctional student centre, where you can get all the basic documents about studying. The process will take just 5-15 minutes.
On the other hand, what do you suggest as significant steps to raise the cultural profile among students who have come from different countries?
RUDN worthily preserves long-standing traditions: weeks of national cultures for instance, and we signed the Declaration of Tolerance. We have more than 100 community organizations and international study groups. We have active students who help freshmen to adapt to the new study and living conditions. There is a volunteer centre of more than 200 volunteers — this is a kind of international student office, which helps foreign students adapt to living in Russia. Their work is based on the principle “Buddy For Each Foreigner”. Each foreign student is assigned a Russian curator friend. The curator is in touch and ready to help out a foreign ward in any situation — from “I am lost” to “help me with this home task”. In addition, students arrange informal meetings, where they get acquainted with fellow countrymen, make friends, and help each other with their academic studies.
What are the peculiarities of running an educational institution such as the RUDN University, especially in a liberal market economy?
Approximately 70% of the budget the University earns itself. This is not only educational activity but also additional professional education, and income from science. Mainly, the income is generated by physical and mathematical sciences, chemistry, mathematics, and the Institute of Innovative Engineering Technologies. Humanities mainly work on a grant basis, it provides all kinds of scientific advisory services.
What is the competitive edge of RUDN University? What advantages does it have over other similar educational institutions in the Russian Federation?
RUDN is the most multidisciplinary university in Russia. A student can choose from 446 directions. Here you can get technical, scientific, medical, economic, and humanitarian education. Engineers, lawyers, doctors, diplomats, financiers, agrarians, physicists, mathematicians, linguists, and journalists are educated at the RUDN.
RUDN has the strongest language school. By studying languages, students receive an extra diploma of a translator. A student can choose from 12 foreign languages to study: European, Oriental or Russian as a foreign language.
RUDN has all the conditions to do science. We have more than 200 laboratories, more than 40 scientific and scientific-educational centres with modern equipment, annual scientific conferences, grants, scholarships, and joint research projects with leading foreign universities.
What can you say about the system of education and training, particularly for foreigners, as well as regular educational exchanges as a means of forging closer relations with the university?
RUDN is an international university. Representatives from 160 countries study here. We have an established system for recruiting foreign students. We interact with applicants from Asia, Africa, and Latin America directly through Olympiads, our pre-university classes and training centres.
Last year, 4,395 foreigners enrolled at RUDN University. This is almost 500 people more than was previously planned. Most of all – on “Medicine”, “Dentistry”, “International Relations”. Egypt, Zambia and Nigeria were among the top three (3) African countries in terms of the numerical strength of international students.
We have exchange and internship programs, double degree programs in cooperation with foreign universities, international conferences, and summer schools. The geography of educational and scientific cooperation of the RUDN is extensive: more than 250 agreements have been signed with educational institutions of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Since 2007, graduates have received a European Diploma Supplement, which is recognized worldwide.
What keeps you motivated as a rector in this educational environment? Who are some of the most notable people, besides Russians, that you have interacted with during your work at the RUDN University?
Students motivate me a lot especially when I see their success in scientific, educational, sports and creative fields. Besides students, I am also highly motivated by my colleagues who sacrifice a lot, devote their energy and considerable time to perform their work effectively, efficiently and conscientiously.
By all appearances – education and professional skills training – are aspects of diplomacy. Do you think that the youth should be involved in this public diplomacy?
Without mincing words, the youth is our future. The whole development and technological progress depend on them – the present young generation. Therefore, at RUDN we teach them to become professional leaders in various fields, equip them with the necessary skills, and help them to acquire the knowledge of communication internationally.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has confirmed that the daily importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol, dropped by 67.04 per cent from 44.6 million litres in August 2024 to 14.7 million litres as of April 13, 2025.
This disclosure was part of revelations made by the chief executive of NMDPRA, Mr Farouk Ahmed, during the Meet-the-Press briefing series organised by the Presidential Communications Team (PTC) at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday.
He explained that the 30-million-litre drop in imports was due to increased contributions from local refineries, revealing that domestic production of petrol surged by 670 per cent during the same period.
He credited the rise to the gradual restart of the Port Harcourt Refining Company in November 2024, along with added output from modular refineries across the country.
“After contributing virtually nothing in August 2024, local plants delivered 26.2 million litres per day in early April, a jump from the 3.4 million litres recorded in September 2024, which was the first month with measurable output,” he said.
He, however, said that in spite the growth in domestic supply, total national supply exceeded the government’s 50 million litres per day consumption benchmark.
“Only twice within the eight-month period—56 million litres in November 2024 and 52.3 million litres in February, 2025.
He added that the month of March 2025 saw a slight dip to 51.5 million litres per day, while the first half of April recorded an even lower average of 40.9 million litres per day.
Mr Ahmed emphasised that the NMDPRA issues import licenses strictly in line with national supply requirements, underscoring the authority’s commitment to balancing imports with growing local production capacity.
He called for a collective national effort in protecting and maintaining Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure.
According to him, all stakeholders – including security agencies, political leaders, traditional rulers, youths, and oil companies must work together to secure national energy assets.
“It takes all of us—government, traditional institutions, companies, and the youth—to collaborate and resist criminal activities that threaten our infrastructure,” he said.
The CEO also stressed that local government authorities and international oil companies (IOCs) such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, as well as indigenous companies, must take responsibility in ensuring that oil assets are protected and maintained.
“Until we all commit to safeguarding these national assets, we should stop pointing fingers,” he added.
Mr Ahmed reaffirmed NMDPRA’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the midstream and downstream sectors.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has said the US imposition of 14 per cent tariff on imported products may have a significant impact on Nigeria’s trade and industrial landscape.
The Director-General of MAN, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, in a statement noted that the US remained one of Nigeria’s most significant trade partners, accounting for approximately 7 per cent of its non-oil exports.
President Donald Trump had earlier slammed a reciprocal tariff on all trading partners with the US with Nigeria getting a 14 per cent share. Although, it recently made a pause to the tariffs for a 90-day period, the possible impact remains.
Mr Ajayi-Kadir said the new tariff regime directly threatened this trade dynamic, particularly as Nigeria projected an ambitious N55 trillion budget and was experiencing a downward trend in global crude oil prices.
According to him, the hike has come at a vulnerable moment when the country is just recovering from the impact of the government’s policy mix that has had negative effects on the manufacturing sector.
“Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, which contributed 8.64 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024, is one of the most predisposed sectors of the economy when it comes to trade policy shifts.
“The imposition of a 14 percent tariff on Nigerian exports significantly undermines the competitiveness of locally manufactured goods in the US market.
“Manufacturers who are exporters in agro-processing, chemicals and pharmaceutical, basic metal, iron and steel, non-metallic mineral products and other light industrial manufacturing rely heavily on the U.S. for market access.
“With increased costs for American buyers due to the tariffs, demand for Nigerian products is expected to decline,” he noted.
Mr Ajayi-Kadir stated that in addition to revenue losses, the new tariffs posed a significant disincentive to firms investing in value-added manufacturing.
He noted that over the past decade, manufacturers had made concerted and strategic efforts to support the country’s transition from exporting raw commodities to semi-processed and finished goods.
“However, higher market-entry costs because of higher tariff on Nigerian products will reduce the profitability of such investments, making it more attractive for firms to revert to exporting raw materials.
“This is counterproductive to Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda and compromises the long-term goal of achieving export diversification under platforms such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA),” he said.
The MAN DG added that the implications of the tariff imposition on employment in the manufacturing sector were dire.
He noted that as export revenues fall, many companies may reduce their production scale or downsize their workforce to cut costs.
He added that beyond the manufacturing sector, the Nigerian economy was not insulated from the effects of the U.S. tariff decision with its direct impact on Nigeria’s trade balance.
Mr Ajayi-Kadir said with the country already grappling with a fragile external sector, any significant reduction in exports to the U.S. would erode the current trade surplus, potentially pushing the balance into deficit.
He expressed worry about potential pressure on Nigeria to reciprocate by reducing its own tariffs on U.S. goods.
He noted that while the U.S. may frame this as a step toward “fair trade,” the reality was that lowering tariffs on U.S. imports could flood the Nigerian market with subsidised goods, thereby undermining local producers.
“Nigeria has, in recent years, made commendable strides toward achieving self-sufficiency in several manufacturing segments and diversifying away from oil.
“However, succumbing to external pressures to liberalise trade prematurely would reverse these gains.
“Furthermore, the absence of institutional capacity to engage in sophisticated trade negotiations places Nigeria in a vulnerable position.
“While countries with advanced legal and economic institutions may be able to negotiate favourable terms, Nigeria is at a disadvantage due to capacity constraints,” he said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria issued 47 Licenses to Establish (LTE) and 30 Licenses to Construct (LTC) refineries in the last year as it seeks to boost oil production in the country.
The move, according to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), marks a significant step towards enhancing Nigeria’s refining capacity and boosting petroleum products availability.
The chief executive of NMDPRA, Mr Farouk Ahmed, during the sixth Meet-the-Press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, said the 47 issued licenses have a combined refining capacity of nearly three million barrels per day.
Detailing the breakdown of the licenses, Mr Ahmed stated: “We have issued 47 LTE translating to 1.75 million barrels per day and 30 LTC translating to 1.23 million barrels per day. Currently, only four plants hold LTC with a steady output of 27,000 barrels per day.”
Giving a further breakdown, he said the LTC projects included five which were at the commissioning or construction stage, including the Dangote Petroleum Refinery with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day while other smaller projects include; AIPCC Energy’s 30,000 barrels per day plant and Waltersmith’s second train with a capacity of 5,000 barrels per day.
Mr Ahmed also highlighted the current state of refining operations in Nigeria, saying six licensed private refineries and four public ones are producing a total of 1.12 million barrels per day.
Other private plants contribute 679,500 barrels per day, led by Dangote’s single-train plant with a refining capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.
Other modular refineries include; Aradel (11,000 barrels per day), OPAC (10,000 barrels per day), Waltersmith (5,000 barrels per day), Duport Midstream Limited (2,500 barrels per day), and Edo Refining and Petrochemicals Company Limited (1,000 barrels per day).
He explained further that publicly owned facilities operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited add another 445,000 barrels per day from the refurbished plants in Port Harcourt (150,000 barrels per day), Warri (125,000 barrels per day), Kaduna (110,000 barrels per day), and the old Port Harcourt plant (60,000 barrels per day).
“These developments underline our commitment to reducing dependency on imported refined products.”
He added that ongoing licensing efforts aimed at expanding domestic refining capacity were ongoing to further support economic growth through job creation and energy security.
The NMDPRA’s recent licensing activities also include approvals for modular refineries in Edo, Delta, and Abia states, expected to add an additional 140,000 barrels per day upon completion.
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