Lagos, Nigeria – 15 August 2025 – Nigeria and India have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties during a recent visit by Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, with India’s Acting High Commissioner, Ms Vartika Rawat. The meeting, described as engaging and delightful, underscored the strong relationship between the two nations, rooted in a shared colonial history, mutual values as members of the Global South and the Commonwealth, and robust economic cooperation.

India stands as one of Nigeria’s top trading partners, with significant exchanges in pharmaceuticals, machinery, and petroleum products. Notably, India is the second-largest employer of labour in Nigeria, trailing only the Federal Government. The discussions highlighted Nigeria’s eagerness to enhance economic and trade cooperation, focusing on key areas such as local pharmaceutical production, capacity building for health professionals, and human capital development through scholarships and technical training. Additionally, both nations aim to strengthen collaborations in energy, infrastructure, security, counterterrorism, and cultural exchanges.

The visit coincided with India’s Independence Day, marking the anniversary of its freedom from British rule in 1947. Odumegwu-Ojukwu extended warm felicitations to India, celebrating the shared historical journey and the promising future of Nigeria-India relations.