Dunoma Ahmed, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with India.

Mr Ahmed stated this during a meeting with India’s high commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, at the ministry’s headquarters on Thursday in Abuja.

A statement issued by Kimiebi Ebienfa, the ministry’s spokesman, said Mr Ahmed expressed appreciation to 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.

According to him, both countries are strategic partners united by shared democratic values and common aspirations for sustainable development and South-South cooperation.

He underscored the importance of the forthcoming BRICS and India-Africa Forum engagements in advancing multilateral cooperation among developing countries amid evolving global political and economic realities.

Mr Ahmed reiterated Nigeria’s interest in increased Indian investments in key sectors of the economy, particularly manufacturing, agriculture, mining, renewable energy, and local value addition.

He further stressed the need for strengthened collaboration in security and counter-terrorism, especially through technological cooperation and defence capacity building.

Mr Singh briefed Mr Ahmed about preparations for the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting slated for May 14 to 15, at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

Meanwhile, the India-Africa Forum Summit is expected to convene African leaders and senior officials later in the month.

Mr Singh said, “Nigeria, as a BRICS partner country and a major stakeholder in Africa, occupies a strategic place in India’s foreign policy engagement with the continent. The government of India looks forward to Nigeria’s active participation at the meetings and in deepening cooperation between both countries in areas of trade, renewable energy, defence, industrialisation, agriculture, and technology.”

He further highlighted ongoing initiatives under the International Solar Alliance and Africa Solar Facility, including proposed renewable energy investments and enhanced developmental partnerships with Nigeria. 

(NAN)