Bridging Democracies: A Strategic Partnership Between India and Nigeria

Introduction-Bridging Democracies.

India and Nigeria, despite being continents apart, have maintained a strong and evolving relationship over several decades. Both countries, as large democracies with colonial legacies and economic potential, share numerous commonalities that make this partnership valuable. India’s recent diplomatic engagement with Nigeria, highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit in November 2024, is aimed at reinforcing bilateral ties through enhanced cooperation in trade, defence, technology, and cultural exchanges. This essay examines the history, current progress, and future potential of India-Nigeria relations, showing how this partnership benefits both countries and supports a fairer, more united Global South.

Historical Foundations of India-Nigeria Relations

The foundation of India-Nigeria relations was laid even before Nigeria’s independence from British colonial rule in 1960. India established a diplomatic mission in Lagos in 1958, underscoring its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s post-colonial journey. This early foundation reflects a bond shaped by mutual respect, shared colonial experiences, and a commitment to democratic values. Over the decades, both nations have collaborated extensively, particularly during Nigeria’s formative years. Indian teachers, doctors, and military advisors played crucial roles in helping Nigeria establish essential institutions and develop critical infrastructure, including Nigeria’s National Defence Academy and Naval War College.

The 1960s to the 1980s marked a period when India actively supported Nigeria’s growth by providing capacity-building programmes, technical expertise, and personnel. During this period, the two countries also cooperated in multilateral forums like the United Nations, G77, and the Non-Aligned Movement, advocating for the interests of developing nations. India’s commitment to Nigeria was further solidified when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Nigeria in 2007, elevating the relationship to a “Strategic Partnership.” This partnership framework has since guided the cooperation between the two countries, particularly in areas like trade, defence, and cultural exchange.

Economic Cooperation and Trade Relations

Trade and economic cooperation are cornerstones of the India-Nigeria relationship, with both nations benefitting immensely. Nigeria, rich in natural resources, particularly oil, has become India’s largest trading partner in Africa. India relies heavily on Nigeria’s crude oil exports, importing nearly $9-15 billion worth annually. Nigeria’s “light and sweet” crude oil is easier and more cost-effective to refine, which is advantageous for India, given its growing energy needs. Nigeria’s substantial reserves of natural gas, estimated at around 29.5 trillion cubic feet, further underscore the potential for energy cooperation between the two countries.

India’s presence in Nigeria is also marked by significant investments. Over 200 Indian companies operate in Nigeria, with investments amounting to approximately $27 billion in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and manufacturing. These companies are among the largest employers in Nigeria, contributing to economic growth and job creation. During Modi’s visit in 2024, both leaders emphasised expanding these investments to promote sustainable development and diversification in Nigeria’s economy. India’s low-cost technologies in areas such as renewable energy, manufacturing, and food processing are particularly relevant to Nigeria’s needs and have the potential to support the country’s goal of economic diversification.

Challenges in the Oil and Gas Sector

Despite the promising economic relationship, Nigeria’s oil and gas sector faces significant challenges that hinder its potential. Militant attacks, terrorism, and corruption in the region have created a precarious environment for investment. Furthermore, the global energy sector is influenced by shifting geopolitics, as seen in the effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on energy markets. India’s experience with similar issues domestically positions it as a helpful ally, offering expertise in managing energy security, crisis response, and regional stability. Through collaborative initiatives, India can contribute to making Nigeria’s energy sector more resilient and attractive to investors.

India has shown interest in helping Nigeria through investments that support not only the extraction of energy resources but also their refining and distribution. Furthermore, joint projects in building oil and gas infrastructure, like refineries and processing plants, fit well with both countries’ goals of ensuring stable energy supplies and strengthening their economies. This teamwork would lessen Nigeria’s reliance on crude oil exports and increase local processing, adding more value within the country.

Defence and Security Cooperation

The partnership between India and Nigeria extends into defence and security, a critical area for both nations given their shared challenges with terrorism and organised crime. India has supported Nigeria in establishing its military training institutions and providing technical assistance. The establishment of Nigeria’s National Defence Academy and War College, modelled after Indian institutions, illustrates India’s long-term commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s defence capabilities.

During Modi’s 2024 visit, defence cooperation was a focal point, with both countries committing to enhanced security collaboration. Joint military exercises, including anti-terrorism and anti-piracy operations, reflect the strategic alignment between the two countries on security issues. India’s expertise in counter-terrorism measures, given its own experience dealing with similar threats, is highly relevant to Nigeria’s fight against extremist groups like Boko Haram. Nigeria has shown interest in procuring Indian-made defence equipment, including attack helicopters and possibly Tejas fighter jets. India’s soft line of credit for defence acquisitions makes this partnership more accessible, reflecting India’s commitment to Nigeria’s defence needs.

The mutual benefits of this defence collaboration are clear. For Nigeria, Indian support strengthens its capacity to address security challenges, thereby stabilising the region. For India, a strong ally in West Africa enhances its strategic influence and positions it as a key security partner on the African continent. This collaboration is also part of India’s broader goal to establish itself as a reliable defence exporter, particularly to developing nations.

Cultural and Diaspora Ties

Cultural exchange and people-to-people connections form the bedrock of India-Nigeria relations. With a diaspora of over 60,000 people of Indian origin residing in Nigeria, the Indian community is integral to fostering goodwill and bridging cultural understanding. These individuals have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economy, engaging in sectors like business, medicine, and technology. Prime Minister Modi’s 2024 visit included an engagement with the Indian diaspora, acknowledging their role as bridge builders who enhance bilateral ties through economic contributions and cultural exchange.

Cultural programs and educational exchanges have further enriched the relationship between the two countries. Many Nigerian students pursue higher education in India, benefitting from India’s advanced educational institutions. These students often return to Nigeria equipped with valuable skills that contribute to Nigeria’s development. Furthermore, scholarships and capacity-building programs funded by the Indian government continue to support Nigerian students, emphasising the importance of cultural diplomacy in fostering long-lasting bilateral ties.

Agricultural and Technological Collaboration

Agriculture is an area with immense potential for collaboration between India and Nigeria. Nigeria possesses around 70 million hectares of arable land, but only 44% is currently cultivated. India’s expertise in agricultural productivity, technology transfer, and resource management positions it as a valuable partner for Nigeria, especially as both nations work towards achieving food security. During Modi’s visit, India offered to support Nigeria in food processing and agricultural technology, which can reduce Nigeria’s dependency on food imports and promote rural development.

Through bilateral agreements, India has introduced low-cost technologies for farming, aimed at increasing productivity and minimising post-harvest losses in Nigeria. Nigeria’s abundant agricultural resources, when combined with Indian technological expertise, could transform the country into a major food producer. This partnership aligns with India’s interest in reducing its reliance on Canadian imports of pulses by supporting local production in Nigeria, creating a mutually beneficial agricultural relationship.

In addition to agriculture, technology plays a pivotal role in India-Nigeria relations. As part of the visit, India and Nigeria signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to enhance collaboration in digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and traditional medicine. India’s advancements in these areas can support Nigeria’s development goals, particularly in rural regions where access to infrastructure and healthcare remains limited.

India’s Strategic Diplomacy in Africa: A Contrast with China

India’s approach to building relations with Nigeria, and Africa in general, stands in stark contrast to China’s model. While China often implements large-scale projects with significant financial investments, it tends to create debt dependencies among African countries. In contrast, India’s approach emphasises local capacity building and self-reliance, aiming for sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships. India’s emphasis on training, skill-building, and technology transfer supports the development of Nigeria’s domestic capabilities without fostering dependency.

India’s strategic diplomacy includes advocating for African interests in multilateral forums. For instance, India played a vital role in advocating for the African Union’s inclusion in the G20, enhancing Africa’s voice in global governance. Nigeria, as a prominent member of the African Union, benefits from India’s support for its regional influence. This diplomatic approach not only strengthens India-Nigeria relations but also reinforces India’s standing as a cooperative partner in Africa’s development.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite the promise in India-Nigeria relations, certain challenges require attention to sustain and grow the partnership. India’s engagement with Africa has sometimes been critiqued for lacking consistency, with delays in summits and missed opportunities for high-level meetings. Holding regular summits, such as the India-Africa Forum Summit, would enable India to maintain ongoing dialogue with African leaders, keeping pace with evolving priorities.

Furthermore, security issues in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, including piracy and militant activity, pose challenges for foreign investment. India’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in addressing these issues can strengthen trust and open up new investment opportunities. By prioritising security cooperation and ensuring the continuity of joint initiatives, India can help Nigeria overcome these obstacles and unlock its full economic potential.

Conclusion

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The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH