Nigeria and India have signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening their long-standing partnership and cooperation. The agreements, which cover Cultural Exchange, Survey Cooperation, and Customs Cooperation, were signed by Nigeria’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ahmed Dumoma Umar, and India’s Additional Secretary for Economic Relations, Mr. Dammu Ravi.
During the signing ceremony, Ambassador Umar emphasized that the success of the MoUs hinges not only on the agreements themselves but also on the commitment to ensuring their implementation. He highlighted that these new MoUs symbolize a shared vision for growth, innovation, and sustainable development with India, marking another milestone in their enduring partnership. He expressed confidence that relevant stakeholders from both nations would collaborate to realize the full potential of these agreements for the benefit of their people.
The Ambassador also noted the historical, cultural, and economic ties between Nigeria and India, which have been longstanding and rooted in mutual respect and shared aspirations. He mentioned that with the upcoming visit of the Indian Prime Minister, more agreements are expected to be signed, further deepening the relationship between the two countries.
Mr. Ravi, commenting on the MoUs, reaffirmed the strong commitment between the two nations, especially in terms of multi-ethnicity, multi-religion, and pluralism. He acknowledged the significant contribution of the over 60,000 Indians living in Nigeria to the economy and expressed gratitude for the hospitality they receive. He stated that the three signed MoUs would set a significant milestone in furthering the bilateral relationship.
The signing ceremony was also attended by the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri Balasubramanian, along with representatives from various Nigerian government ministries and agencies.