Nigeria is seeking to deepen diplomatic and economic relations with India while strengthening consular support and protection for Nigerians living, studying and doing business in the country.
The Nigerian High Commission in India said it is working with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to improve information sharing, diaspora engagement and service delivery.
High Commissioner to India, Ambassador Saidu Dahiru Muhammad, disclosed this while outlining efforts to restore the momentum in Nigeria-India trade, which declined from about $27 billion in 2022-23 to $14.95 billion in 2024-25.
Muhammad attributed the decline partly to the absence of a substantive Nigerian head of mission in India, as well as global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.
He, however, said trade was showing signs of recovery, with current figures estimated at between $8.7 billion and $8.9 billion. He expressed optimism that bilateral trade could return to previous levels by the end of 2027.
The envoy identified health-tech, agri-tech, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, renewable energy, mining technology, healthcare, the creative industry and the circular economy as key areas for expanded Nigerian-Indian partnerships.
He specifically encouraged Nigerian investors to partner with Indian healthcare institutions to establish medical facilities in Nigeria, noting that such investments could reduce medical tourism while improving access to quality healthcare.
Beyond trade and investment, Muhammad said the High Commission was intensifying efforts to protect Nigerians in India by providing greater awareness of local laws, immigration requirements and cultural expectations.
He disclosed plans to upgrade the mission’s website and social media platforms to provide practical information for Nigerians travelling to India for education, business and healthcare.
The mission is also working to develop a database of universities attended by Nigerian students and engage students from matriculation through graduation to promote compliance with visa conditions and help prospective students identify legitimate institutions.
The High Commission’s renewed strategy combines diaspora protection with economic diplomacy, as Nigeria seeks to strengthen support for its citizens abroad while repositioning its relationship with India as a platform for trade, investment and sustainable economic development.
