Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with India, with both countries seeking deeper cooperation in trade, renewable energy, defence, agriculture and technology ahead of major international engagements later this month.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, stated this during a meeting with India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
According to a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, Ahmed commended the long-standing cordial relationship between Nigeria and India and stressed the need to further strengthen cooperation between both nations.
He described Nigeria and India as strategic partners linked by shared democratic ideals and mutual aspirations for sustainable development and stronger South-South cooperation.
Ahmed noted that upcoming engagements, including the BRICS meetings and the India-Africa Forum Summit scheduled to hold in New Delhi later in May, would provide opportunities to enhance multilateral collaboration among developing nations.
“We are committed to deepening bilateral ties with India, especially in critical sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, mining, renewable energy and local value addition,” Ahmed said.
He also called for increased Indian investment in Nigeria’s economy and stronger collaboration in security and counter-terrorism through technological support and defence capacity building.
Speaking earlier, Singh briefed the Nigerian delegation on preparations for the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting slated for May 14 to 15 at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
He described Nigeria as a key partner in India’s engagement with Africa.
“Nigeria, as a BRICS partner country and a major stakeholder in Africa, occupies a strategic place in India’s foreign policy engagement with the continent,” Singh said.
“The Government of India looks forward to Nigeria’s active participation at the meetings and in deepening cooperation between both countries in areas of trade, renewable energy, defence, industrialisation, agriculture and technology,” he added.
The Indian envoy also highlighted ongoing initiatives under the International Solar Alliance and the Africa Solar Facility, including proposed renewable energy investments and broader developmental partnerships with Nigeria.
