Mr. Iyanuoluwa Adeoye, a medical student in one of the universities in Ukraine, was forced to abandon his studies as the Ukraine-Russia War, which started in 2014, flared up again last year and returned to Nigeria. Like Mr. Iyanuoluwa, hundreds of other Nigerians, many of whom were students, were airlifted by the government of Nigeria from Ukraine and flown to Nigeria, as Russia intensified its operations in Ukraine. The likes of Mr. Iyanuoluwa were not sure when they would return to Ukraine to continue their studies.

The impact of Ukraine-Russia War is not limited to students, although this is very significant. The war, which started since 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, is taking place thousands of miles away, its ramifications on African countries and their citizens can best be seen in trade relations between Africa and Russia.

Prior to the war, Russia was one of Africa’s major trading partners, with many African countries relying on Russian imports of oil and natural gas to fuel their economies and Russian and Ukrainian grains to feed the teeming millions of Africans. Since the war began, sanctions imposed on Russia by the international community in response to its actions in Ukraine, has significantly decreased trade between Russia and Africa. This has had a detrimental effect on the economies of many African countries, particularly those that are heavily dependent on grains, oil, and gas exports.

Countries like Mozambique, which exports large amounts of aluminum to Russia, and Sudan, which import huge tons of grains from Russia, found it difficult to access Russian markets, which has led to a decline in economic growth and an increase in poverty in these African countries.

Another impact of the war has been on the security situation in Africa. The conflict in Ukraine has led to an increase in tensions between Russia and the West, with many African countries finding themselves caught in the middle. This has led to increased competition for influence in the region, with both Russia and the West seeking to gain the support of African countries. This competition has led to increased political and military intervention in the region, which has the potential to destabilize the security situation in Africa.

Furthermore, the war has also had an impact on the relations between African countries and the European Union. With the EU being one of the main supporters of Ukraine in the conflict, many African countries have found themselves at odds with the EU over their support for Russia. This has led to a strain on relations between the EU and many African countries, which has had a negative effect on trade and other forms of cooperation between the two regions.

The war has also affected the political relations between Africa and Russia. Russia has historically been a significant political and military partner for many African countries, particularly in the area of arms sales. However, the war has led to a shift in the balance of power, with the West becoming more influential in Africa. This has led to a decline in Russian influence in the region and an increase in Western influence. This has also led to a re-evaluation of alliances, with many African countries looking to the West for support and protection.

In addition to the above mentioned, the war has also had a significant impact on the refugee crisis in Africa. The fighting in Ukraine has forced many Ukrainians and other migrants who had to flee the region in search of safety, with many of them seeking asylum in Africa. This has put a strain on the resources of many African countries, as they struggle to provide for the needs of these refugees. It also creates a tension between the refugees and the host countries, as they compete for (scarce) resources and jobs.

Overall, the Ukraine-Russia War has had a significant impact on Africa. The war has led to a decrease in trade between Russia and Africa, increased competition for influence in the region, a strain on relations between the EU and many African countries, and a significant impact on the refugee crisis in Africa. These impacts have had a detrimental effect on the economies and security of many African countries and their citizens.

Overall, the impact of the Ukraine-Russia War on Africa has been primarily negative. The war has led to a decrease in trade and economic growth, a shift in the balance of power, and an increase in the number of refugees and migrants on the continent. African countries have been affected both economically and politically by the conflict, and since the war is still ongoing, it is likely that the effects of the war will continue to be more severe and wide-ranging as the time goes on and be felt for many years to come.

Although Mr. Iyanuoluwa and others like him are taking online courses, their ability to participate in practical classes has been limited as the universities in Ukraine have little or no linkages with universities in Nigeria where these students can participate in practicum. The impact of the war on the education of Mr. Iyanu and others like him as well as Ukraine’s contributions to the training and education of medical practitioners in Africa is better imagined.