India and Nigeria have discussed threats and challenges emanating from terrorism, extremism, radicalization, and cyberspace, says MEA
National security advisor Ajit Doval and his Nigerian counterpart Nuhu Ribadu, who met in New Delhi on Tuesday (November 5, 2024) for the Second Strategic and Counter-Terrorism Dialogue, have identified specific areas of cooperation to enhance their fight against all forms of terrorism.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two NSAs held in-depth discussions within the framework of the strategic India-Nigeria partnership on threats and challenges emanating from terrorism, extremism, radicalization, including through cyberspace, as well as from international crime, arms and drug smuggling.

“The two sides identified specific areas of cooperation to enhance their fight against all forms of terrorism, reiterating their firm belief that there can be no justification for terrorism in any form or manifestation. They agreed to enhance cooperation in bilateral capacity building and also strengthen cooperation in the international arena,” the MEA stated.

During his visit, the National Security Adviser of Nigeria also visited the premises of the National Security Guard in Manesar.

The First Strategic and Counter-Terrorism Dialogue between India and Nigeria at the level of NSA was held in New Delhi on March 4-5, 2021.

This was the latest in a series of high-level interactions between the two sides in 2024. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Nigeria in January this year and held extensive discussions on the bilateral relationship between the two sides. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met on the sidelines of the New Delhi G20 Summit held on September 9-10, 2023.

Defence and Trade Ties Drive Robust Bilateral Partnership 
India and Nigeria enjoy warm, friendly, and deep-rooted bilateral relations. India established its Diplomatic House in Lagos in November 1958, two years before Nigeria became independent in 1960.

Defence cooperation and trade ties are integral to the bilateral relationship between India and Nigeria, which was elevated to the level of a ‘Strategic Partnership’ during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Nigeria In October 2007.

Defence cooperation received a boost after the two countries signed a bilateral agreement on defence cooperation in October 2007. The areas of cooperation include counter terrorism and counter-insurgency (CT/CI), sea piracy and exchange of visits between training institutes.

As per official data, in 2022, India figured amongst the top 5 trading partners of Nigeria. India-Nigeria bilateral trade stood at USD 11,852 million in 2022-23. 

According to the MEA, India is emerging as a development partner of Nigeria on two fronts –by offering developmental assistance through concessional loans and by offering capacity building training programmes

India offers development assistance to Nigeria in the form of Lines of Credit worth USD 100 million. Two agreements for extension of Lines of Credit at USD 30 million for a gas fired turbine electricity generation station in Cross River State of Nigeria and USD 31.05 million for three sub-projects including 2x60 MVA transmission substation, solar-powered street lights and 50kVA mini-grids in Kaduna State of Nigeria are under implementation. Another offer for Line of Credit of USD 38.95 million has been repurposed.