Basics
- Where is Nigeria?: Nigeria is a West African country locates in between Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea to the south in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Capital: Abuja
- Bordering countries: Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Benin.
- Major Rivers: Niger and Benue
- Nigeria shares border with endocrine lake called Lake Chad.
Areas of Cooperation
- Historical Context:
- Diplomatic Relations: Established in 1962, post-Nigeria’s independence in 1960.
- Migration: Significant Indian migration in the 20th century.
- Independence Support: India supported Nigeria’s independence.
- Economic Cooperation:
- Trade: India is one of Nigeria’s largest trading partners with bilateral trade valued at over $15 billion (2022-23). India is the largest importer of Nigerian Crude Oil.
- Investment: India’s investment in Nigeria totals around USD 20 billion and includes pharmaceuticals, agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
- Development Assistance: USD 400 million, primarily in the power sector.
- Educational and Cultural Ties:
- ITEC Scholarships: 500 scholarships annually for Nigerian students.
- Diaspora: Indian community here is one of the largest in Africa
- Cultural Exchange: Increasing popularity for Bollywood, and embracing if Yoga and Ayurveda.
- Multilateral Engagement
- Both nations support each other’s position in international forums like the UN.
- Commonwealth and G77: Both are active members advocating for the Global South.
Challenges
- Security Issues: Terrorism (Boko Haram), separatism, piracy, and trafficking.
- Political Misunderstandings: Occasional strains due to differing perspectives.