Nigeria and India have reaffirmed their strategic partnership with a renewed commitment to collaboration in key areas, including economic development, defence, healthcare, and food security.
This was revealed in a statement confirming that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Nigeria, at the invitation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, marks the first by an Indian leader since 2007.
The visit, which concluded on Sunday, featured a formal reception for Prime Minister Modi, including a 21-gun salute at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. President Tinubu and Prime Minister Modi engaged in a private discussion, followed by expanded bilateral and political talks.
In a joint statement, both leaders underscored the importance of addressing mutual security concerns, particularly in counterterrorism, maritime security, and intelligence sharing.
“They reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists and terror financing networks,”
“They called for zero tolerance to terrorism and the expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the UN Framework.” The statement read.
To strengthen maritime security, both leaders agreed to continue joint anti-piracy operations and naval exercises in the Gulf of Guinea.
Prime Minister Modi also pledged India’s support for Nigeria’s defence modernization, emphasizing India’s role as a trusted defence equipment manufacturer.
Economic Ties and Investments
Highlighting the strong economic ties between the two nations, Prime Minister Modi and President Tinubu noted that India is Nigeria’s largest trading partner and a significant investor in the Nigerian economy. Over 200 Indian companies operating in Nigeria were commended for generating substantial employment and investment opportunities.
During the meeting, both leaders directed their teams to finalize pending agreements, including the Economic Cooperation Agreement (ECA), Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), and the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), to foster trade and investment.
Reflecting on the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and Business Conference held during the G20 Summit in New Delhi, they celebrated Indian investors’ pledges of over $14 billion in critical Nigerian sectors such as industrialization, energy, telecommunications, and defence.
Focus on Food Security and Agriculture
Food security emerged as a priority during the discussions. Nigeria expressed gratitude to India for concessions on rice supplies during a period of critical need.
“The leaders agreed to enhance collaboration in agriculture, from agricultural machinery and high-yield seeds to sharing technical expertise and technologies,” the statement noted.
India also thanked Nigeria for supporting its resolution at the United Nations to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets, pledging to increase cooperation in millet cultivation and promotion.
Healthcare Advancements
Nigeria and India committed to deepening their collaboration in healthcare, focusing on establishing hospitals, diagnostic centres, and implementing innovative health management systems.
India offered Nigeria access to its CoWIN digital platform, a revolutionary system for health data management and vaccination programs. Additionally, India reaffirmed its commitment to supplying high-quality generic medicines at affordable prices under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme.
“This initiative aims to make essential medicines more affordable, particularly for vulnerable populations,” the statement said.
Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Development
Both nations agreed to intensify efforts in renewable energy, particularly in solar power.
“As members of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), both sides agreed to intensify their cooperation in establishing solar parks and to work towards increasing the share of renewable energy in their energy portfolios,” the statement read.
India also pledged to support Nigeria’s infrastructure development priorities through concessional lines of credit and technical expertise.
Cultural and Educational Exchange
The leaders applauded the vibrant cultural and educational exchanges between the two nations. Nigeria acknowledged India’s role in human resource development through various scholarship programs and agreed to encourage more Nigerian students to take advantage of these opportunities.
Tourism and cultural interactions were also identified as vital for strengthening people-to-people ties.
Global Cooperation
On the global stage, both countries committed to UN Security Council reforms and mutual support for permanent and non-permanent memberships. India also invited Nigeria to join the Global Biofuel Alliance and Global Rivers Cities Alliance.
In his remarks, President Tinubu praised the growing partnership between Nigeria and India, describing the visit as a milestone in fostering deeper cooperation.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit, the first since President Tinubu’s state trip to India in 2023, signifies a shared vision for a prosperous future built on mutual respect, collaboration, and trust.
