The collaboration comes at a time when Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is actively seeking increased foreign investment and affordable credit options to revitalise its economy
India and Nigeria have agreed to deepen collaboration in maritime security, intelligence-sharing, and counter-terrorism, signalling a strengthening of ties during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the West African nation. Modi’s visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Nigeria in 17 years and follows an invitation from President Bola Tinubu, who is keen to attract investment from global economic powers.
Arriving in Abuja on Saturday night, Modi met Tinubu at the presidential villa on Sunday for discussions spanning economic development, defence, healthcare, and food security. A joint statement issued after the meeting highlighted the commitment of both nations to coordinated action in securing maritime trade routes and combating piracy, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea and the Indian Ocean, which face growing threats.
The collaboration comes at a time when Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is actively seeking increased foreign investment and affordable credit options to revitalise its economy and generate employment opportunities.
On the economic front, Modi’s visit builds on pledges made during last year’s G20 summit, where Indian investors committed nearly USD 14 billion to Nigerian industries. Among these, Jindal Steel and Power promised to invest USD 3 billion in Nigeria’s steel sector. President Tinubu emphasised the importance of such investments in driving the nation’s economic recovery and job creation efforts.
Currently, over 200 Indian companies operate in Nigeria, reflecting a robust trade relationship between the two nations. India remains a key trading partner for Nigeria, importing significant volumes of crude oil while exporting a range of manufactured goods.
The two leaders also discussed the broader scope of their partnership in defence and healthcare. Modi’s visit underlines India’s interest in fostering strategic ties with African nations while Nigeria looks to leverage these partnerships to boost its economic and security landscape.
With a focus on securing trade routes, strengthening defence, and enhancing cooperation in key sectors, the India-Nigeria partnership appears poised for a deeper and more mutually beneficial engagement in the years ahead.
