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India - Nigeria Bilateral Relations
Political Relations:
Relations between Nigeria and India have traditionally been warm and friendly, without any contentious issues. India established a diplomatic mission in Nigeria in 1958, even before Nigeria became independent in 1960. Both countries have been in the forefront of the worldwide anti-colonial and anti-apartheid struggle and have collaborated in various international fora. A landmark visit to Nigeria in September 1962, Indian Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and his interaction with Nigeria’s first Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa had 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 Ogranisation, etc. The two countries strongly oppose all forms of terrorism.
Bilateral Trade: The bilateral trade between India and Nigeria in 2014-15 stood at US$ 16.36 billion, which was 2% less compared to previous year figure of US$16.98 billion. India’s exports to Nigeria have grown gradually during the last few years - from US$ 1.08 billion in 2007-08 to US$2.68 billion in 2014-15. While India’s exports to Nigeria marginally increased from US$26.67 billion in 2013-14 to US$26.81 billion in 2014-15, India’s imports from Nigeria decreased from US$ 14.01 billion in 2013-14 to US$ 13.68 billion in 2014-15. Out of total imports, India imported a total of US$13.53 billion worth of crude and petroleum products in 2014-15 against US$13.96 billion in 2013-14.
Nigeria is India’s largest trading partner in Africa and India is the largest trading partner of Nigeria globally. Indian owned companies employ largest number of employees in Nigeria after the Federal Government of Nigeria.
India-Nigeria Bilateral Trade Statistics
(Value in Us $ Million)
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
India’s Export
2259.09
(+60%)
2700.23
(+29%)
2738
(+1.5%)
2667.83
(-2.6%)
2681.34
Indian’s Import
10787.72
(+48%)
14622.57
(+36%)
13826
(-5.9%)
14098.38
(+3.5%)
13682.72
(-2%)
Oil Trade: In recent years Nigeria has been one of the main sources of crude for India. Nigeria is highly important for our energy security matters as we import around 8% to 12% of our crude requirements from Nigeria. In recent times, India has become the largest importer of Nigerian crude.
Economic Activities & Projects: Over 100 Indian owned and/or operated companies are estimated to have footprints in Nigeria. Prominent among them are Tata, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Auto, Birla Group, Kirloskar, Mahindra & Mahindra, Ashok Leyland, NIIT, ApTech, New India Assurance, MECON Ltd.; Prestige Assurance Plc.; Bhushan Steel, KEC, Dabur, Godrej; some Super-speciality Hospitals; and around 15 companies in the Nigerian Power Sector. Nigeria’s pharmaceuticals, steel and power transmission sectors are dominated by Indian companies. Nigeria-based Indians are economically active in consumer manufacturing & retailing as also in construction and services.
In August 2015, an “India Show” was organized by the High Commission in association with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Lagos, Nigeria. The event with the theme “Enhancing Trade and Investment between Indian and Nigeria” was inaugurated on August 25, 2015 by the High Commissioner along with the Deputy Governor of Lagos state and Deputy Governor of Benue state. Over 100 Indian companies participated in the event showcasing their products looking for trade and investment opportunities in Nigeria.
EXIM Bank LOC: During the visit of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in October 2007, a Government of India (GOI) supported EXIM Bank Line of Credit of US$100 million was offered to Government of Nigeria. After prolonged correspondence, the agreement was finally formalized at Kigali, Rwanda on May 22, 2014 on the sidelines of a meeting of the Africa Development Bank. Nigerian side with the concurrence of Indian side decided to utilize the credit for power sector projects in three States: Enugu- US$40 million, Cross River -- US$30 million and Kaduna- US$30 million.
Air Services:There are no direct air services between India and Nigeria. Air travel between India and Nigeria involve transfer at a hub, with Dubai, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Cairo, Doha, Frankfurt or London.
Cultural Relations:
Indian Film Festival: High Commission organized first ever week-long Indian Film Festival in Abuja, Nigeria from March 31 to April 06, 2014. The event was inaugurated by the then first lady, H.E. Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan on March 31, 2014. Speaking on the occasion, she said that Bollywood compared favourably 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.
Visit of a cultural troupe: ICCR sponsored 8-member Rajasthani Troupe led by Mr. Vinod Nath Satera visited Nigeria from September 18-21, 2015. The troupe gave performances in Lagos, Abuja and Kano cities of Nigeria.
ICCR Chair: An MoU between Indian Council for Cultural relations (ICCR) and Lagos Business School (LBS) for continuation of the India Chair at LBS was signed in Lagos on September 19, 2014. An Indian Professor is expected to join LBS in January 2016.
ICCR / ITEC / SCAAP: Under ITEC programme, 200 slots were allocated to Nigeria in 2014-15. However, only 108 slots were utilized due to outbreak of Ebola Virus in West African countries. 200 slots have also been allocated to Nigeria for 2015-16.
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.
Some Indians have been affected by criminal incidents esp. kidnappings and armed robberies in various parts of Nigeria. Two Indian nationals were among 157 victims who lost lives in crash Dana Air (owned by a Lagos-based NRI Group) near Lagos on June 3, 2012. Two Indians were killed and one seriously injured in an attack by unidentified armed group on an Indian owned Gum Arabic factory in Maiduguri, Borno State on July 25, 2012. The High Commission monitors the evolving security situation in Nigeria and issues advisories from time-to-time for Indian nationals at its website http://hcindia-abuja.org.
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. Indian films are popular in Kano, Kaduna and other Northern States and local channels regularly telecast Indian films.
Political Relations:
Relations between Nigeria and India have traditionally been warm and friendly, without any contentious issues. India established a diplomatic mission in Nigeria in 1958, even before Nigeria became independent in 1960. Both countries have been in the forefront of the worldwide anti-colonial and anti-apartheid struggle and have collaborated in various international fora. A landmark visit to Nigeria in September 1962, Indian Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and his interaction with Nigeria’s first Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa had 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 Ogranisation, etc. The two countries strongly oppose all forms of terrorism.
Bilateral Trade: The bilateral trade between India and Nigeria in 2014-15 stood at US$ 16.36 billion, which was 2% less compared to previous year figure of US$16.98 billion. India’s exports to Nigeria have grown gradually during the last few years - from US$ 1.08 billion in 2007-08 to US$2.68 billion in 2014-15. While India’s exports to Nigeria marginally increased from US$26.67 billion in 2013-14 to US$26.81 billion in 2014-15, India’s imports from Nigeria decreased from US$ 14.01 billion in 2013-14 to US$ 13.68 billion in 2014-15. Out of total imports, India imported a total of US$13.53 billion worth of crude and petroleum products in 2014-15 against US$13.96 billion in 2013-14.
Nigeria is India’s largest trading partner in Africa and India is the largest trading partner of Nigeria globally. Indian owned companies employ largest number of employees in Nigeria after the Federal Government of Nigeria.
India-Nigeria Bilateral Trade Statistics
(Value in Us $ Million)
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
India’s Export
2259.09
(+60%)
2700.23
(+29%)
2738
(+1.5%)
2667.83
(-2.6%)
2681.34
Indian’s Import
10787.72
(+48%)
14622.57
(+36%)
13826
(-5.9%)
14098.38
(+3.5%)
13682.72
(-2%)
Oil Trade: In recent years Nigeria has been one of the main sources of crude for India. Nigeria is highly important for our energy security matters as we import around 8% to 12% of our crude requirements from Nigeria. In recent times, India has become the largest importer of Nigerian crude.
Economic Activities & Projects: Over 100 Indian owned and/or operated companies are estimated to have footprints in Nigeria. Prominent among them are Tata, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Auto, Birla Group, Kirloskar, Mahindra & Mahindra, Ashok Leyland, NIIT, ApTech, New India Assurance, MECON Ltd.; Prestige Assurance Plc.; Bhushan Steel, KEC, Dabur, Godrej; some Super-speciality Hospitals; and around 15 companies in the Nigerian Power Sector. Nigeria’s pharmaceuticals, steel and power transmission sectors are dominated by Indian companies. Nigeria-based Indians are economically active in consumer manufacturing & retailing as also in construction and services.
In August 2015, an “India Show” was organized by the High Commission in association with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Lagos, Nigeria. The event with the theme “Enhancing Trade and Investment between Indian and Nigeria” was inaugurated on August 25, 2015 by the High Commissioner along with the Deputy Governor of Lagos state and Deputy Governor of Benue state. Over 100 Indian companies participated in the event showcasing their products looking for trade and investment opportunities in Nigeria.
EXIM Bank LOC: During the visit of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in October 2007, a Government of India (GOI) supported EXIM Bank Line of Credit of US$100 million was offered to Government of Nigeria. After prolonged correspondence, the agreement was finally formalized at Kigali, Rwanda on May 22, 2014 on the sidelines of a meeting of the Africa Development Bank. Nigerian side with the concurrence of Indian side decided to utilize the credit for power sector projects in three States: Enugu- US$40 million, Cross River -- US$30 million and Kaduna- US$30 million.
Air Services:There are no direct air services between India and Nigeria. Air travel between India and Nigeria involve transfer at a hub, with Dubai, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Cairo, Doha, Frankfurt or London.
Cultural Relations:
Indian Film Festival: High Commission organized first ever week-long Indian Film Festival in Abuja, Nigeria from March 31 to April 06, 2014. The event was inaugurated by the then first lady, H.E. Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan on March 31, 2014. Speaking on the occasion, she said that Bollywood compared favourably 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.
Visit of a cultural troupe: ICCR sponsored 8-member Rajasthani Troupe led by Mr. Vinod Nath Satera visited Nigeria from September 18-21, 2015. The troupe gave performances in Lagos, Abuja and Kano cities of Nigeria.
ICCR Chair: An MoU between Indian Council for Cultural relations (ICCR) and Lagos Business School (LBS) for continuation of the India Chair at LBS was signed in Lagos on September 19, 2014. An Indian Professor is expected to join LBS in January 2016.
ICCR / ITEC / SCAAP: Under ITEC programme, 200 slots were allocated to Nigeria in 2014-15. However, only 108 slots were utilized due to outbreak of Ebola Virus in West African countries. 200 slots have also been allocated to Nigeria for 2015-16.
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.
Some Indians have been affected by criminal incidents esp. kidnappings and armed robberies in various parts of Nigeria. Two Indian nationals were among 157 victims who lost lives in crash Dana Air (owned by a Lagos-based NRI Group) near Lagos on June 3, 2012. Two Indians were killed and one seriously injured in an attack by unidentified armed group on an Indian owned Gum Arabic factory in Maiduguri, Borno State on July 25, 2012. The High Commission monitors the evolving security situation in Nigeria and issues advisories from time-to-time for Indian nationals at its website http://hcindia-abuja.org.
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. Indian films are popular in Kano, Kaduna and other Northern States and local channels regularly telecast Indian films.