ABUJA, 15 August 2026

The Federal Government of Nigeria has congratulated the Government and people of India on the country’s 80th Independence Anniversary, reaffirming the enduring friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria described India as a valued friend and strategic partner, noting that bilateral relations have been strengthened over decades through shared historical links, including membership of the Commonwealth and the Non-Aligned Movement.

The relationship today extends across trade and investment, technology, health and pharmaceuticals, education, defence, energy and cultural exchange, with both countries increasingly positioned to deepen cooperation within the wider Global South.

Nigeria also recognised India’s remarkable transformation since independence in 1947, including its emergence as one of the world’s leading economies and an increasingly influential voice in global affairs.

The economic relationship remains particularly significant. India has consistently ranked among Nigeria’s major trading partners, while Indian companies have established a substantial presence in Nigeria across sectors including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, power, infrastructure and consumer goods. Indian investment commitments in Nigeria have been estimated at about US$60 billion, according to Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Information.

However, the relationship also presents an opportunity for a new phase of more balanced economic engagement. Bilateral trade fell from approximately US$14.95 billion in 2021–22 to US$7.13 billion in 2024–25, according to Indian government data, highlighting the need for both countries to expand trade beyond traditional commodity flows and increase investment, manufacturing, technology transfer and value-added production.

That challenge comes as Nigeria’s newly appointed High Commissioner to India, Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru, assumes his diplomatic responsibilities in New Delhi.

Ambassador Saidu has pledged to use his tenure to deepen Nigeria–India relations, particularly in trade and investment, while working towards a more favourable balance of trade for Nigeria. He has also promised an inclusive approach involving the Nigerian diplomatic mission, business community, students and wider Nigerian community in India.

His appointment comes at a strategically important moment. Nigeria and India already cooperate in defence and counter-terrorism, including strategic and counter-terrorism dialogues and naval cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea. The two countries also maintain cooperation through the United Nations, Commonwealth and other multilateral platforms.

Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry said it looks forward to continued collaboration with India on global governance reform, sustainable development and South-South cooperation.

The Federal Government further acknowledged the important contribution of India’s business community to Nigeria’s economic development and reaffirmed its commitment to expanding cooperation in trade and investment, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, information technology, defence and other strategic sectors.

With Ambassador Saidu Dahiru Muhammad now taking charge of Nigeria’s mission in New Delhi, the next chapter of the relationship offers an opportunity to move beyond traditional diplomacy towards a more commercially focused partnership — one capable of expanding two-way trade, attracting investment, supporting technology and skills transfer, strengthening energy and infrastructure cooperation and creating greater opportunities for businesses and citizens of both countries.

As India marks eight decades of independence, Nigeria’s message is therefore not simply one of congratulations, but also of renewed partnership.

Nigeria and India, two major nations of the Global South, have an opportunity to turn longstanding friendship into an even stronger engine of shared prosperity.