In a move to deepen bilateral relations, Nigeria and India have agreed to collaborate on various critical sectors, including food security, healthcare, education, and renewable energy.
The two countries reached the agreement in Abuja on Sunday, following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit at the invitation of President Bola Tinubu.
The leaders acknowledged the priority of food security, particularly for developing nations with large populations.
President Tinubu expressed gratitude to India for its timely concessions in rice supply during a period of need.
The two nations agreed to enhance agricultural collaboration, focusing on the provision of agricultural machinery, high-yield seeds, and the exchange of technical expertise and technologies.
Further cooperation in millet production was emphasised, with the President lauding India’s successful initiative to have 2023 declared the International Year of Millets by the United Nations.
Additionally, Nigeria and India pledged to deepen their healthcare collaboration, emphasising the establishment of hospitals and diagnostic centres, as well as adopting innovative health management systems.
The Indian Prime Minister said the country offered to share its CoWIN digital platform, an open-source health management infrastructure credited with transforming India’s vaccination campaigns.
This platform he said is expected to bolster Nigeria’s healthcare system, improving the efficiency of vaccination programs and other health initiatives.
In addition, he revealed India is committed to supplying high-quality, affordable generic pharmaceutical products to Nigeria under its Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme.
“This initiative aims to make essential medicines accessible to vulnerable populations and support Nigerian hospitals’ procurement processes”, said the Prime Minister.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening educational ties. India was recognised as a vital partner in Nigeria’s human resource development through various scholarship programs, including the eVBAB scheme, which facilitates virtual learning.
The two countries agreed to encourage more Nigerian students to benefit from these programmes while applauding the vibrant cultural and academic exchanges that have seen cultural troupes, film festivals, and literary events strengthen ties.
Both leaders emphasised the need to expand these exchanges to promote shared heritage and mutual understanding.
Recognising the role of tourism in fostering stronger people-to-people ties, Nigeria and India committed to exploring opportunities to promote travel and cultural interactions between the two nations.
“As international partners, Nigeria and India pledged mutual support for non-permanent memberships in the United Nations Security Council for 2028–2029 and reiterated their commitment to UN Security Council reforms.
“India invited Nigeria to join the Global Biofuel Alliance and the *Global Rivers Cities Alliance expanding their collaboration on environmental sustainability. Both nations, as members of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), agreed to enhance their partnership in establishing solar parks and increasing the share of renewable energy in their energy portfolios.”
The two countries also pledged cooperation on regional peace and security, particularly in West Africa, further solidifying their strategic partnership.
