FG Denies Endorsing Russian ‘Alabuga’ Scheme After Website Hack

By ANITA KNIGHT

NIGERIA’S Ministry of Education has disowned controversial posts on its website promoting Russia’s Alabuga Start Programme, saying hackers uploaded the content without approval.

Federal Scholarship Board Director, Ndajiwo Asta, said the scheme—which recruits young women from developing countries—was never part of Nigeria’s bilateral education agreement with Russia.

Investigations across Africa revealed Alabuga recruits were lured with false promises and, in some cases, trapped in exploitative work. Despite this, the adverts remained on the ministry’s site until recently, raising questions over lax digital security.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) faulted the ministry for failing to secure its website and ordered the immediate removal of the posts.

Meanwhile, unlicensed Nigerian travel agencies admitted to recruiting for Alabuga under questionable agreements, in violation of the Labour Act.

Education analysts warned that such lapses undermine trust in official platforms and expose youths to exploitation abroad.