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India-Nigeria
Bilateral Relations
India's contacts with Nigeria predate the independence of the two countries.
The Nigerian nationalist leaders had followed India's independence movement
and drawn inspiration from leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru. The Nigerians have fond memories of Mahatma Gandhi's struggle
against racism and injustice and India's opposition to the apartheid
regime in South Africa.
India established a diplomatic mission in Nigeria in 1958, i.e. even
before Nigeria became independent in 1960. The Indian mission, which
was known as the Commission of India was upgraded to a High Commission
in October 1960 on Nigeria's independence.
Political
India and Nigeria have cordial and friendly relations, marked by mutual
respect and understanding. Both countries have been in the forefront
of the worldwide anti-colonial and anti-apartheid struggle. Similarities
in colonial struggle, ethnic diversity and geo-political situation have
created affinity and mutual goodwill between the two countries.
High-level visits have been exchanged between the two countries. Some
of the important visits exchanged are given below:
-
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited Nigeria in 1962.
-
President Shehu Shagari visited India in January 1983 as the Chief Guest in the Republic Day celebrations.
-
Major General Idiagbon led the Nigerian delegation to attend the funeral of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in October 1984.
-
Nigerian Foreign Minister Nwachukwu visited India twice in 1989 and 1991.
-
MOS(EA) Shri Hari Kishore Singh visited Nigeria in 1990.
-
Nigeria sent a special delegation for the funeral of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991.
-
MOS(EA) Shri R L Bhatia visited Nigeria in October 1993 as the Special Envoy of PM.
-
The then Head of State late General Sani Abacha visited India in March 1994 to attend the fourth G-15 Summit in New Delhi.
-
Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources Chief Etete visited India in December 1996 to participate in an energy conference.
-
Minister of Textiles, Shri Kashiram Rana led a high-level Jute delegation to Nigeria in August 1998.
-
Nigerian Minister of Science and Technology Maj. Gen. Sam Momah led a high-level delegation to India in March 1999.
-
President-elect Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo visited India in April 1999.
-
Nigerian Commerce Minister Mustapha Bello visited Bangalore to attend G-15 Ministerial Meeting on WTO in August 1999.
-
President Olusegun Obasanjo paid a State Visit to India from January 24-28, 2000 as the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations.
-
EAM Shri Jaswant Singh visited from March 28-29, 2000 to co-chair the Third Session of the India-Nigeria Joint Commission at Abuja, Nigeria.
-
MOS(C&I) Shri Omar Obdullah visited Nigeria from October 2-4, 2000 to chair the Conference of HOMs/CRs based in Indian Missions in the western region of the Sub-Saharan Africa.
-
Nigerian Minister of Industry Steven I. Akiga visited India in December 2000.
-
Nigerian Minister of Health Prof Alphonsus Nwosu visited India in April 2001.
-
Nigerian Minister of Agriculture visited India in July 2001.
A high-powered
Parliamentary delegation from Nigeria visited India in August 2001.
Nigerian Industry Minister is expected to lead a high-powered delegation to India in October 2001.
Institutional Framework for Bilateral Cooperation
An Agreement for Cooperation in Culture, Education and Science and Technology was signed between the two countries in September 1982. Two CEPs were signed for the period 1985-87 and 1992-94. In August 1998, the question of renewal of the agreement has been taken up with the relevant authorities in India.
A draft Agreement for Mutual Cooperation in Drug Demand Reduction and Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and Related Matters was given to the Nigerian side in June 1995. A Nigerian delegation led by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Drug Matters visited India in January 2000. The draft Agreement is in the process of finalisation.
India-Nigeria Joint Commission
The Third Session of the India-Nigeria Joint Commission was held at Abuja from March 27-29, 2000. The Joint Commission met after a gap of 11 years. EAM Shri Jaswant Singh led the Indian delegation while Alhaji Sule Lamido, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, led the Nigerian delegation. The Joint Commission reviewed the status of economic, commercial, scientific and technical cooperation as well as areas of cooperation. Both sides agreed that the 4th Session of the Joint Commission would be convened in New Delhi in the second quarter of 2002. After the Joint Commission meeting, a Joint Communique was issued.
Defence
Nigeria maintains the largest armed forces in the Sub-Saharan Africa. India has assisted Nigeria in establishing Nigerian Defence Academy and few other training institutions for all the three services from 1963 to 1986. A delegation from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna visited India, in Sep/Oct 2001, to study the training facilities at the National Defence Academy, Naval Academy and the Indian Military Academy. Besides, the Nigerian Armed Forces personnel have continued to avail the training courses, over the years, in the various training institutions in India under the ITEC programme and also on self-financing basis. Many of these officers have risen to higher positions in Nigeria. As on date, two officers trained in India have risen to the post of the Head of the State, including the incumbent President Olusegun Obasanjo. As part of the training exchange programme, an Indian Army Officer, of the rank of Colonel, attended the National War College Course at Abuja during the year 1998-99.
Exchange of visits of Service Chiefs was a regular feature between 1970 and 1989. The last high-level visit from India was by the Chief of Naval Staff in 1989. A lull occurred thereafter, which was broken with the visit of the Nigerian Naval Chief to India in Oct 1998. A delegation from the Nigerian Navy visited India, to participate in the International Fleet Review, held in Mumbai, from 15-21 Feb 2001. In the Annual Plan of In/Out visits, approved by the Ministry of Defence for the year 2001-02, an out visit by the Indian Army Chief to Nigeria has been proposed.
The Nigerian Armed Forces purchased about 2000 Tata trucks in 1997-98. The scope of defence cooperation is being enlarged to include defence trade and technical cooperation. A tremendous amount of scope exists to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries in the areas of supply of armament and ammunition, accoutrements, helicopters, spares for Dorniers, fast attack patrol/ interceptor boats including establishment of joint venture production and upgradation of Nigerian Naval dockyards.
Cooperation at International Fora
India and Nigeria are the members of the Non-aligned Movement (NAM), G-77 and G-15 and share common perceptions on major international issues. Both have worked together on issues of common interest such as restructuring of UN, fight against apartheid, decolonisation, disarmament, human rights, refugee problems, international peace, environment and multilateral economic issues affecting the developing countries. In April 1996, India joined other developing countries at the UN Human Rights Commission to ensure that the resolution on Nigeria was balanced and acceptable to them.
Related Links
India and Benin Republic
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Benin Fact Sheet
Cameroun Fact Sheet
Chad Fact Sheet
Nigeria Fact Sheet
Nigerian Industry Minister is expected to lead a high-powered delegation to India in October 2001.
Institutional Framework for Bilateral Cooperation
An Agreement for Cooperation in Culture, Education and Science and Technology was signed between the two countries in September 1982. Two CEPs were signed for the period 1985-87 and 1992-94. In August 1998, the question of renewal of the agreement has been taken up with the relevant authorities in India.
A draft Agreement for Mutual Cooperation in Drug Demand Reduction and Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and Related Matters was given to the Nigerian side in June 1995. A Nigerian delegation led by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Drug Matters visited India in January 2000. The draft Agreement is in the process of finalisation.
India-Nigeria Joint Commission
The Third Session of the India-Nigeria Joint Commission was held at Abuja from March 27-29, 2000. The Joint Commission met after a gap of 11 years. EAM Shri Jaswant Singh led the Indian delegation while Alhaji Sule Lamido, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, led the Nigerian delegation. The Joint Commission reviewed the status of economic, commercial, scientific and technical cooperation as well as areas of cooperation. Both sides agreed that the 4th Session of the Joint Commission would be convened in New Delhi in the second quarter of 2002. After the Joint Commission meeting, a Joint Communique was issued.
Defence
Nigeria maintains the largest armed forces in the Sub-Saharan Africa. India has assisted Nigeria in establishing Nigerian Defence Academy and few other training institutions for all the three services from 1963 to 1986. A delegation from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna visited India, in Sep/Oct 2001, to study the training facilities at the National Defence Academy, Naval Academy and the Indian Military Academy. Besides, the Nigerian Armed Forces personnel have continued to avail the training courses, over the years, in the various training institutions in India under the ITEC programme and also on self-financing basis. Many of these officers have risen to higher positions in Nigeria. As on date, two officers trained in India have risen to the post of the Head of the State, including the incumbent President Olusegun Obasanjo. As part of the training exchange programme, an Indian Army Officer, of the rank of Colonel, attended the National War College Course at Abuja during the year 1998-99.
Exchange of visits of Service Chiefs was a regular feature between 1970 and 1989. The last high-level visit from India was by the Chief of Naval Staff in 1989. A lull occurred thereafter, which was broken with the visit of the Nigerian Naval Chief to India in Oct 1998. A delegation from the Nigerian Navy visited India, to participate in the International Fleet Review, held in Mumbai, from 15-21 Feb 2001. In the Annual Plan of In/Out visits, approved by the Ministry of Defence for the year 2001-02, an out visit by the Indian Army Chief to Nigeria has been proposed.
The Nigerian Armed Forces purchased about 2000 Tata trucks in 1997-98. The scope of defence cooperation is being enlarged to include defence trade and technical cooperation. A tremendous amount of scope exists to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries in the areas of supply of armament and ammunition, accoutrements, helicopters, spares for Dorniers, fast attack patrol/ interceptor boats including establishment of joint venture production and upgradation of Nigerian Naval dockyards.
Cooperation at International Fora
India and Nigeria are the members of the Non-aligned Movement (NAM), G-77 and G-15 and share common perceptions on major international issues. Both have worked together on issues of common interest such as restructuring of UN, fight against apartheid, decolonisation, disarmament, human rights, refugee problems, international peace, environment and multilateral economic issues affecting the developing countries. In April 1996, India joined other developing countries at the UN Human Rights Commission to ensure that the resolution on Nigeria was balanced and acceptable to them.
Related Links
India and Benin Republic
India and Cameroon
India and Chad
Benin Fact Sheet
Cameroun Fact Sheet
Chad Fact Sheet
Nigeria Fact Sheet
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