Nigeria, India To Synergise On Stronger Trade and Investment Ties

Nigeria, India To Synergise On Stronger Trade and Investment Ties

Nigeria and India are looking to turn decades of diplomatic friendship into deeper economic cooperation, with trade, investment and private-sector partnerships taking centre stage.

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to India, Saidu Dahiru Muhammad, presented his Letters of Credence to India’s President, Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday, 24 August 2026.

Delivering the greetings of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the envoy reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening relations with India, describing his posting as an opportunity to advance Nigeria’s national interests and secure tangible benefits from the bilateral relationship.

Muhammad identified trade, investment and business-to-business engagement as key priorities of his tenure, while seeking greater Indian investment in Nigeria.

He also expressed interest in expanding cooperation in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, agriculture, energy, manufacturing, ICT and digital transformation, education, infrastructure and skills development.

Defence, security and cultural exchanges were also identified as areas requiring closer collaboration.

The High Commissioner pledged to work with the Indian government, business community and Nigerian stakeholders to give practical effect to the longstanding relationship between the two countries, with a citizen-centred approach to diplomacy.

President Murmu welcomed Muhammad and congratulated him on his appointment, describing Nigeria-India relations as being rooted in historical ties, mutual respect and shared interests.

She placed particular emphasis on the economic dimension of the relationship, describing India as a major business and trading partner of Nigeria and acknowledging the contribution of Indian companies and investors to Nigeria’s economic development.

The diplomatic engagement comes with both countries seeking to deepen an established relationship by expanding commercial opportunities and strengthening people-to-people links.