• Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger bilateral ties with India as the talks focused on trade, renewable energy, agriculture, defence, and technology
• The discussions centred on preparations for the 2026 India-Africa Forum Summit and BRICS meetings
• Nigeria seeks increased Indian investments in manufacturing, mining, and local value addition

Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic relations with India as both countries prepare for major international engagements later this month.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Ahmed, made this known during a meeting with India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, May 7.

According to a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, Ahmed appreciated the longstanding cordial relationship between both nations and stressed the need to deepen cooperation ahead of the India-Africa Forum Summit scheduled to take place in New Delhi in May 2026.

Ahmed described Nigeria and India as strategic partners linked by shared democratic ideals and mutual goals for sustainable development and South-South cooperation.

He also highlighted the significance of the upcoming BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the India-Africa Forum engagements in strengthening collaboration among developing nations amid changing global political and economic realities.

The permanent secretary reiterated Nigeria’s desire for greater Indian investment in critical sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, mining, renewable energy, and local value addition.

He further emphasised the importance of stronger partnerships in security and counter-terrorism through technological support and defence capacity building.

Earlier, Singh briefed Ahmed on preparations for the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting scheduled for May 14 to 15 at the Bharat Mandapam.

Speaking during the meeting, Singh said, “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.”

He added that India looks forward to Nigeria’s active participation in the meetings and to expanding cooperation in trade, renewable energy, defence, industrialisation, agriculture, and technology.

Singh also highlighted ongoing projects under the International Solar Alliance and the Africa Solar Facility, including proposed renewable energy investments and broader developmental partnerships with Nigeria.

Nigeria, UK seal major deals on business visas, migration, border security

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the governments of Nigeria and the United Kingdom signed three key agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation on migration, border control, and business relations.

The agreements include a Memorandum of Understanding on Migration Partnership, a Statement of Intent on Cooperation on Organised Immigration Crime and Border Security, and another Statement of Intent focused on expanding business visa access for UK companies operating in Nigeria.