By Gabriel Ameh
Nigeria and India have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation ahead of the upcoming BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the India-Africa Forum Summit scheduled to hold in New Delhi later this month.
The assurance was given by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, during a meeting with the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Abhishek Singh, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
During the meeting, the Indian envoy briefed the Nigerian side on preparations for the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting slated for May 14–15, 2026, at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, alongside the India-Africa Forum Summit expected to bring together African leaders and senior government officials.
The High Commissioner described Nigeria as a strategic partner and a key stakeholder in Africa, noting that India looks forward to Nigeria’s active participation at both engagements.
He also highlighted opportunities for stronger cooperation between the two countries in trade, agriculture, defence, renewable energy, industrialisation, and technology.
According to him, India is also advancing renewable energy partnerships with Nigeria through initiatives under the International Solar Alliance and the Africa Solar Facility.
In his remarks, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed praised the longstanding relationship between both countries, describing Nigeria and India as strategic allies bound by shared democratic values and mutual development goals.
He stressed the importance of the forthcoming BRICS and India-Africa Forum meetings in promoting cooperation among developing nations amid changing global economic and political realities.
The Permanent Secretary further reiterated Nigeria’s interest in attracting more Indian investments into critical sectors such as manufacturing, mining, agriculture, renewable energy, and local value addition.
He also called for stronger collaboration in security and counter-terrorism through enhanced technological cooperation and defence capacity building.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to expanding Nigeria-India relations through stronger bilateral and multilateral engagements.
The statement was signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.
