By Gloria Ikibah
The Nigerian High Commission in India is set to strengthen collaboration with key government agencies as part of efforts to improve services to Nigerians in the country and revive trade and investment between Nigeria and India.
Nigeria’s High Commissioner to India, Ambassador Saidu Dahiru Muhammad, said the mission will deepen engagement with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and other relevant agencies. 
Muhammad, who disclosed this in New Delhi, said closer cooperation will enhance information sharing, investment promotion and diaspora engagement.
He said: “We intend to work closely with agencies such as NiDCOM, the EFCC, NIPC and other relevant institutions to improve information sharing and service delivery”.
The envoy said trade and investment promotion remained a major priority for the mission, expressing optimism that bilateral trade would recover from the decline recorded in recent years.
Total trade between Nigeria and India stood at about $14.95 billion in 2024-25, down from approximately $27 billion in 2022-23.
Muhammad attributed the decline to several factors, including the absence of a substantive Nigerian head of mission in India for a period, global economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions.
He, however, said commercial activities were beginning to recover following the appointment of a substantive High Commissioner.
“Trade has started picking up again. We are seeing figures between $8.7 billion and $8.9 billion, and we are optimistic that we can return to previous levels by the end of 2027,” he said.
Muhammad urged Nigerian investors attending events around the BRICS Summit to take advantage of opportunities in India’s expanding technology ecosystem.
He identified agri-tech, health-tech, pharmaceutical technology and mining technology as areas where Nigerian businesses could benefit from Indian expertise.
The envoy also highlighted renewable energy, manufacturing, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, the circular economy and the creative industry as sectors with considerable potential for stronger bilateral partnerships.
“There are enormous opportunities for Nigeria to leverage India’s technological expertise and manufacturing capacity for our economic development and industrial growth,” Muhammad said.
He encouraged Nigerian investors to partner with leading Indian healthcare institutions to establish medical facilities in Nigeria.
According to him, such investments can reduce the number of Nigerians travelling abroad for medical treatment while improving access to quality healthcare in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.
Muhammad also identified the creative industry as another area capable of attracting greater Indian investment and creating new avenues for cooperation between both countries.
Beyond economic relations, the High Commissioner said the mission was intensifying efforts to educate Nigerians living in India on the importance of complying with local laws and immigration regulations.
“Every time they have access to us, we hammer on the need to abide by the rules.
“Compliance with the rules will help them avoid legal and security challenges,” he said.
He said the mission was also encouraging Nigerians who had experienced difficulties in India to share their experiences with prospective travellers and students, in order to help others avoid similar problems.
As part of its outreach programme, Muhammad said the High Commission was upgrading its website and social media platforms, including LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and X, to provide Nigerians with timely information and guidance.
He said the revamped website will provide practical information for Nigerians travelling to India for education, business and medical purposes, including guidance on local laws, cultural expectations and other important considerations.
The High Commissioner also disclosed plans to engage universities across India to improve communication with Nigerian students from the beginning of their academic programmes.
“We want to engage with students from the point of matriculation to graduation, stressing the importance of complying with visa conditions and remaining focused on their studies,” he added.
Muhammad said the mission was compiling a database of universities attended by Nigerians and will use the information to guide prospective students towards legitimate institutions.
He further highlighted increased cooperation between the Nigerian and Indian diplomatic missions on issues concerning Nigerians travelling to India.
“We are using that synergy to let Nigerians know when they come. They think we don’t know, but we already know they are here,” he noted.
According to the envoy, the collaboration is enabling both countries to exchange information on Nigerians travelling to India for education, healthcare and business, while also contributing to stronger diplomatic and bilateral relations.
