Nigeria
Relations between Nigeria and India have traditionally been warm and friendly. India established its diplomatic mission in Nigeria in 1958 and that was two years before Nigeria gained its independent in 1960.
Cooperation to tackle the challenge of COVID-19 Pandemic
- India donated 7.8 tons consignment of essential medicines, including HCQS and antibiotics to Nigeria in July 2020. In March 2021, India had supplied a consignment of 3.92 million doses of Covishield vaccine from the Serum Institute of India (SII), under the Covax scheme of GAVI to Nigeria. In addition, India also gifted 100,000 doses of Covishield vaccines to Nigeria in March 2021. In Jan 2022, India exported additional 5.742 million doses of Covishield vaccines to Nigeria under the Covax scheme.
- In September 2022 a joint venture partnership arrangement between Bio vaccine Nigeria limited and Serum Institute of India (SII) was signed for the production of vaccines in Nigeria. In Aug 2022, Bharat Biotech International Limited’s oral rotavirus vaccine Rotavac was introduced by Nigeria for immunization of children from the life-threatening diarrhoeal disease.
Capacity Building & Other Exchanges
- Since 1964, India has been supporting Nigeria’s efforts in capacity building under ITEC Programme. Every year India offered about 250+ civilian and defence training slots under ITEC/e-ITEC to Nigeria.
- Consequent to the third India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-III) that was held in October 2015, India has been offering additional training programmes to Nigeria in diverse subjects ranging from agriculture, health, hydropower, water resources, etc. In the year 2018-19, about 74 Nigerians have been trained under IAFS-III Programmes in premier Indian institutions.
- Every year, ICCR offers around 20 scholarships under the “ICCR Africa Scholarship Scheme” for Nigerian nationals to pursue under-graduate, post-graduate and higher courses in India.
Development Cooperation (Grants/ LoCs/ Assistance)
- India has offered a concessional loan (LoCs) amounting to USD 100 million to Nigeria in the power sector including renewables. Two projects viz. Kaduna – USD 30 million and Cross Rivers – USD 30 million are in the advanced stages of implementation. The third project in the State of Enugu for USD 40 million is also expected to be implemented soon.
- India has offered two concessional loans (LoCs) for solar related projects namely (i) 50 MW Solar Power Plant in Bauchi State of Nigeria for an amount of USD 66.60 million and (ii) Solar PV Renewable Micro-Utility (REMU) in six political zones of Nigeria for an amount of USD 8.36 million, during the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Founding Conference and Solar Summit held in March 2018.
