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India and Nigeria share a long history of engagement rooted in shared colonial experiences, common values of anti-colonialism, and aspirations for socio-economic development. Over decades, this relationship has evolved into a multi-faceted partnership encompassing political, economic, cultural, and strategic dimensions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Nigeria in 2024 has underscored the growing importance of this bilateral relationship, placing it at the forefront of India’s Africa strategy. The foundations of India-Nigeria relations were laid during their respective struggles against colonial rule. Both nations shared a common history of British colonialism and aspired for freedom and self-determination. India’s independence in 1947 served as an inspiration for Nigeria, which gained independence in 1960. Leaders like India’s Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, and Nigeria’s Nnamdi Azikiwe envisioned a world free from imperial domination, advocating for Afro-Asian solidarity.
India played a pivotal role in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which sought to provide newly independent nations like Nigeria with a platform to voice their concerns on global issues without aligning with any major power bloc. Nigeria’s active participation in NAM further solidified its ties with India, as both countries championed decolonization, disarmament, and equitable global governance. Formal diplomatic relations between India and Nigeria were established in 1962. Over the years, both countries have maintained high-level diplomatic engagements. India’s support for Nigeria’s unity during the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970) reflected New Delhi’s commitment to national unity and territorial integrity. This support was reciprocated by Nigeria’s vocal backing of India’s position on the Kashmir issue in various international forums.
Economic ties between India and Nigeria have traditionally centered on trade. Nigeria is India’s largest trading partner in Africa, while India is among Nigeria’s top trading partners globally. The trade relationship initially revolved around crude oil, as Nigeria is a major seller of oil to India. However, in recent years, efforts have been made to diversify trade to include sectors like technology, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy.
India’s export portfolio to Nigeria includes machinery, vehicles, and textiles, while Nigeria exports oil, gas, and agricultural products to India. In 2023, bilateral trade stood at $16 billion, with plans for further expansion to $20 billion by 2025. Indian companies have made significant investments in Nigeria, particularly in manufacturing, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. Prominent Indian enterprises like the Tata Group, Airtel, and the Aditya Birla Group have established a strong presence in the country. The Indian pharmaceutical industry, known for its affordable and high-quality medicines, is critically important for Nigeria’s healthcare sector, addressing challenges like access to essential drugs.
Developmental and Capacity-Building Initiatives, India has consistently supported Nigeria’s socio-economic development through capacity-building programs and concessional loans. Initiatives like the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program have trained thousands of Nigerian professionals in diverse fields, including agriculture, healthcare, and information technology. Additionally, India has extended lines of credit to Nigeria for infrastructure development projects, thereby contributing to the country’s economic growth. India has also partnered with Nigeria in implementing developmental projects in renewable energy. Solar energy initiatives, such as establishing solar microgrids in rural Nigeria, exemplify this collaboration. These projects not only address energy shortage problems but also align with global sustainability goals.
Cultural and educational ties have been an integral aspect of India-Nigeria relations. The large Indian diaspora in Nigeria serves as a bridge between the two nations, fostering mutual understanding and goodwill. Indian films, music, and cuisine are popular in Nigeria, reflecting cultural synergy. On the education front, Nigerian students constitute a significant proportion of the African student community in India. Indian universities, known for their quality and affordability, attract Nigerian students pursuing higher education in engineering, medicine, and business studies. These educational exchanges have created a network of alumni who contribute to strengthening bilateral relations.
In recent years, defense and security cooperation between India and Nigeria have gained prominence. Both nations face common security challenges, including maritime piracy, terrorism, and drug trafficking. India organises training programs for Nigerian defense personnel and supplies defense equipment to enhance Nigeria’s counterterrorism capabilities. Joint naval exercises and intelligence-sharing mechanisms have further deepened this partnership. India and Nigeria share a commitment to multilateralism and global governance reform. Both countries have collaborated in forums like the United Nations, the Commonwealth, and the African Union. India’s outreach to Africa through initiatives like the India-Africa Forum Summit has provided a platform for strengthening ties with Nigeria. Nigeria’s support for India’s bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council underscores the depth of this partnership. Similarly, India’s advocacy for greater African representation in global institutions aligns with Nigeria’s aspirations for continental leadership since it is the most populous African nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nigeria in 2024 marked a watershed moment in India-Nigeria relations. This was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 17 years, signaling a renewed emphasis on Africa in India’s foreign policy. The strategic stopover en route to the G-20 Summit in Brazil highlighted Nigeria’s geopolitical significance as Africa’s largest economy. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s personal welcome to the Prime Minister underscored Nigeria’s high regard for India. During the visit, Narendra Modi was conferred Nigeria’s second-highest civilian honor, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, making him only the second foreign dignitary to receive this recognition since Queen Elizabeth II in 1969. This gesture symbolised Nigeria’s acknowledgment of India’s growing global stature and its role as a key partner in Africa’s development. The visit focused on trade diversification and on encouraging Indian private sector investments in Nigerian industries. Collaborative infrastructure development projects, particularly in renewable energy generation, were identified as priority areas. India’s offer of sustainable and transparent financing models was presented as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which has faced criticism for creating debt traps in African nations.
Defence cooperation featured prominently during the Prime Minister’s visit. Both countries agreed to enhance military sales, joint training programs, and maritime security collaborations. These measures aim to bolster Nigeria’s capacity to address security challenges, including terrorism and maritime piracy while deepening strategic trust between the two nations. The Indian Prim Minister’s visit also focused on expanding developmental cooperation through capacity-building programs and concessional loans. Initiatives to promote cultural and educational exchanges were discussed, to bolster long-term people-to-people ties. Despite the strong foundations of India-Nigeria relations, certain challenges persist. Bureaucratic hurdles and regulatory uncertainties in Nigeria can deter Indian investors. Similarly, India’s trade imbalance with Nigeria, driven by oil imports, needs to be addressed to ensure a more equitable economic partnership. Security concerns, including terrorism and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, pose additional hurdles to cooperation.
The evolving global order presents numerous opportunities for India and Nigeria to deepen their partnership. Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts under President Tinubu align with India’s expertise in technology, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. Collaborative ventures in these sectors can create jobs, foster innovation, and drive sustainable development. India’s G-20 presidency in 2023 and its proactive engagement with Africa help New Delhi advocate for the Global South’s interests. Strengthening ties with Nigeria can amplify India’s voice on global issues like climate change, food security, and debt relief.
India-Nigeria relations have come a long way from their shared anti-colonial struggles to a dynamic partnership encompassing trade, investment, development, and strategic cooperation. Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit in 2024 has reinvigorated this relationship, setting the stage for more diversified collaboration in the years ahead. Nigeria’s economic and geopolitical significance makes it a cornerstone of India’s Africa strategy. Converting the goodwill generated by Modi’s visit into tangible outcomes requires consistent and strategic action. A stronger India-Nigeria partnership will serve as a model for inclusive, sustainable, and equitable growth in the Global South, fostering mutual progress and cooperation.
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