When Christine Vihishima, Esq., clicked on a conference application link forwarded by a friend, she didn’t expect much. There was no essay, no video—just a simple form to fill out. “I completed it and moved on,” she recalled. However, weeks later, the unexpected happened: she received an acceptance email inviting her to the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Russia.
This would be her first time attending an international forum of this scale. As a lawyer, serial entrepreneur, humanitarian, and financial literacy coach known as The Money Mechanic, Christine is accustomed to big events, but this one felt different.
The reality of it set in quickly. The visa process was surprisingly efficient. “One day!” she laughed. “They told us we were top priority. I thought it was a joke. We filled out a 10-minute form online, walked into the embassy, had our interviews, paid the fees, and picked up our visas before the end of the day.”
If you’ve ever applied for a visa elsewhere, you can appreciate how refreshing this was.
However, the journey itself was less than smooth. It involved a 24-hour trip from Abuja to Addis Ababa, then Istanbul, and finally St. Petersburg, with endless layovers, little sleep, and one regrettable in-flight meal. “Let me just say, always choose chicken,” Christine joked. “That meal was humbling.”
A Shift in Perspective
Upon landing, Russia surprised her. There was light, order, and WiFi at the airport, along with functioning systems on the streets. The St. Petersburg she encountered was peaceful, cold, clean, and remarkably organised, contrasting sharply with the negative headlines and assumptions many Nigerians hold.
Nigerians now issued Single-Entry Visas with 3-Month Validity by the US
She visited museums and palaces, marvelled at centuries-old architecture, and experienced the “White Nights,” during which the sun doesn’t set until midnight. However, the most significant takeaway wasn’t cultural; it was economic. At SPIEF, Christine witnessed how Russia showcased its innovations and built its economy without relying on foreign aid.
“They’re not waiting for help. They’re promoting their businesses globally. That’s something we need to learn,” she emphasised. For someone dedicated to empowering young Africans through financial literacy and entrepreneurship, this realisation hit home. “No more playing small,” she asserted. “It’s time to put our ideas on the global map. I’m already considering going back—this time for business.”
She wasn’t exaggerating. The trip sparked inspiration and potential partnerships. But beyond the flights and forums, Christine’s journey illustrates that impact doesn’t always require relocation. Sometimes, one bold “yes” can open doors to a much larger world.
So, what truly happened in Russia? What did she learn? How did she cope with the food? And what important lessons can Nigeria take away from a country like Russia today?
Stay tuned for the full interview with Christine, where she shares everything from her surprise visa approval to surviving bland food, long layovers, and unexpected travel lessons that turned a simple trip into a global wake-up call.
The full story drops on Thursday, 10th July 2025 at 7AM (GMT +1). Don’t miss it.
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