Abuja: Amb. Dunoma Ahmed, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with India.
Ahmed made this statement during a meeting with India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to Kimiebi Ebienfa, the ministry’s spokesman, Ahmed thanked Singh for the cordial relations between Nigeria and India.
He said that cooperation between both countries would focus on deepening ties ahead of the India-Africa Forum Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi in May, 2026.
He noted both countries are strategic partners sharing democratic values and goals for sustainable development and South-South cooperation.
He emphasised the role of upcoming BRICS and India-Africa Forum engagements in boosting cooperation among developing countries against shifting global realities.
Ahmed highlighted Nigeria’s interest in more Indian investments in manufacturing, agriculture, mining, renewable energy, and local value addition.
He also stressed the need for stronger security and counter-terrorism collaboration, especially through technology and defence capacity building.
Earlier, Singh briefed Ahmed on preparations for the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on May 14-15 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
Meanwhile, the India-Africa Forum Summit is expected to convene African leaders and senior officials later in the month. Singh said, “Nigeria, a BRICS partner and major stakeholder in Africa, is strategic in India’s engagement with the continent. “India looks forward to Nigeria’s active participation and to deepening cooperation in trade, renewable energy, defence, industrialisation, agriculture, and technology,” he said. He also noted ongoing International Solar Alliance and Africa Solar Facility initiatives, including planned renewable energy investments and development partnerships with Nigeria.