India – Nigeria Relations
Relations between Nigeria and India have traditionally been warm and friendly. India established its diplomatic mission in Nigeria in 1958 and that was two years before Nigeria gained its independent in 1960. Both countries have been in the forefront of the international struggle against colonialism and apartheid and have closely collaborated in various international forae. A landmark visit to Nigeria in September 1962, Indian Prime Minister Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru and his interaction with Nigeria’s first Prime Minister TafawaBalewahad created mutual goodwill, respect and friendship between our two countries and leaders. The historic State visit to Nigeria by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in October 2007 after a gap of over forty five years provided a serious new impetus to our bilateral ties. Commonalities of our colonial past, a large multi-ethnic, multi-religious and developing societies with a large percentage of youth have brought the two countries even closer. We both share common perspectives on international political, social and development issues as manifested in various meetings at the United Nations, World Trade organization, etc. The two countries strongly oppose all forms of terrorism.
Both sideshave tried to keep the momentum of periodic bilateral visits with a view to strengthen the relations between the two countries. Recent visits between the two countries may be seen at Annexure.
COMMERCIAL & ECONOMIC RELATIONS:
Bilateral Trade:
• India is the largest trading partner of Nigeria and Nigeria is India’s largest trading partner in Africa. Indian owned/operated companies are the 2nd largest employer in Nigeria after the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
• The bilateral trade during the year 2014-15 decreased by 2% from US$16.764 billion in 2013-14 to US$16.364 billion in 2014-15.
• India’s exports to Nigeria recorded marginal increase though from US$2667.83 million in 2013-14 to US$2681.34 million in 2014-15. It is worthwhile to mention that India’s exports to Nigeria have withstood the sharp contractions of Nigerian market due to Ebola crisis, elections related uncertainty, twice naira devaluation, security situation, etc. since July 2014. Otherwise, keeping the market trends in view, our exports would have surged.
• India’s imports decreased by 2% from US$14,098.38 million in 2013-14 to US$13,682.72 million in the year 2014-15. • Crude and petroleum products form the large chunk of India’s imports. India’s import of crude and petroleum products in 2014-15 was worth US$ 13.532 billion as against US$13.959 billion recorded in the previous year.
India-Nigeria Bilateral Trade Statistics
| 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
| India’s exports | 2259.09 (+60%) | 2700.23 (+29%) | 2738 (+1.5%) | 2667.83 (-2.6%) | 2681.34 (-0.5%) |
| India’s imports | 10787.72 (+48%) | 14622.57 (+36%) | 13826 (-5.9%) | 14098.38 (+3.5%) | 13682.72 (-2%) |
Oil Trade: In recent years Nigeria has become one of the main sources of crude for India. India imports around 8% to 12% of its crude requirements from Nigeria
Economic Activities & Projects:Over a hundred companies are currently operating in Nigeria that are owned and/or operated by Indian or Persons of Indian origin. Prominent among them being BhartiAirtel, Indorama, Olam International (now Singapore registered), Tata, Bajaj Auto, Birla Group, Kirloskar, Mahindra, Ashok Leyland, NIIT, ApTech, New India Assurance, Bhushan Steel, KEC, Skipper Nigeria, Dabur, Godrej and Primus Super-speciality Hospital besides 15 prominent companiesin Nigerian Power Sector. Nigeria’s pharmaceuticals, steel and power transmission sectors are dominated by Indian companies. Nigeria-based ethnic Indians are economically active in areas relating to consumer goods manufacturing and retailing, construction and air-services. The fourth edition of Indian Products and Services Exhibition (IPASE) was held in Lagos in January 2014 showcasing Indian products and services.
The High Commission of India, Abuja participated in Enugu Trade Fair held in Enugu State in March, 2015 and in Kaduna Trade Fair held in April/May, 2015. Apart from display of Indian products and catalogues by various Indian companies, “Free Medical Camps’ were also organised during the trade fair in cooperation with Indian hospitals/doctors working in Nigeria in order to show-case India’s excellence in Medical field.
EXIM Bank LOC: During his visit to Nigeria in October 2007, the then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh announced Line of Credit (LOC) worth US$100 million to the Government of Nigeria. The US$100 million is marked for three power projects in the states of (i) Enugu – US$ 40 million, (ii) Cross Rivers- US$30 million and Kaduna – US$30 million. EXIM Bank of India signed the agreement with Nigerian Government on May 22, 2014 on the sidelines of Africa Development Bank (AfDB) meeting in Kigali, Rwanda
Air Services: There are no direct air services between India and Nigeria. Air travel between India and Nigeria involve transit travel at Dubai, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Cairo, Doha, Frankfurt or London.
CULTURAL RELATIONS: First Lady inaugurates Indian Film Festival: HCI organized first ever weeklong Indian Film Festival in Abuja from March 31 to April 06, 2014. The successful event which drew applause from the city was inaugurated by the first lady, H.E. Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan on March 31, 2014. Speaking on the occasion, she said that Bollywood comparedfavourably with Hollywood in many respects. High Commissioner said that he would work towards facilitating a Nigerian Film Festival in New Delhi. Two famous Hindi movies were shown at the popular Silverbird Cinema complex.
ITEC/SCAAP:200 slots underIndian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme have been allocated to Nigeria for 2015-16. The allocated quota has been fully utilised by Nigerian candidates in the past few years. However, in the 2014-15, only 101 slots were utilised mainly due to Ebola crisis.
Culture & Academic: Indian films are popular in Kano, Kaduna and other Northern States and local channels regularly telecast Indian films. In the past Indian cultural troupes have entertained Nigerians in annual Abuja Carnivals. These troupes also performed in Lagos and other Nigerian cities. Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) jointly organised 2nd India-Africa Academic Conference at Lagos from 14-15 March 2012. The event was attended by 80 academicians, including an 8 member ICWA delegation led by its Director General Shri S.T. Devare. Lagos Business School has a rotating chair arrangement with Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
INDIAN COMMUNITY:
NRI/PIO Community:The Indian community in Nigeria is estimated to be about 35,000 persons – about 25,000 Indian nationals and about 10,000 Persons of Indian origin holding other nationalities. A generation of Nigerians today in their forties to sixties have been taught by Indian teachers, treated by Indian doctors and have grown watching Indian movies and Indians and India in Nigeria enjoy goodwill and respect in Nigeria. There is a CBSE affiliated Indian Language School in Lagos with 2,500 students. It also has two temples in Lagos and a number of cultural and ethnic associations, most prominent of which is Indian Cultural Association.
INDIAN COMMUNITY: NRI/PIO Community:The Indian community in Nigeria is estimated to be about 35,000 persons – about 25,000 Indian nationals and about 10,000 Persons of Indian origin holding other nationalities. A generation of Nigerians today in their forties to sixties have been taught by Indian teachers, treated by Indian doctors and have grown watching Indian movies and Indians and India in Nigeria enjoy goodwill and respect in Nigeria. There is a CBSE affiliated Indian Language School in Lagos with 2,500 students. It also has two temples in Lagos and a number of cultural and ethnic associations, most prominent of which is Indian Cultural Association.
Consular Relations: The people-to-people ties between Nigeria and India are vibrant and growing. About 40,000 Nigerians obtained Indian visas during 2014. The main reasons for visiting India are medical treatment and business. Number of Nigerian students going to Indian tertiary institutions is also on rise. Many Indian football clubs have Nigerian professional players.
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India – Nigeria Relations
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