Nigeria and India have further solidified their long-standing partnership by signing three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on cultural exchange, customs cooperation, and survey collaboration.
The agreements were formalised on Friday during a ceremony at Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with representatives from both nations emphasising their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
Ambassador Ahmed Dumoma Umar, Permanent Secretary of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed on behalf of Nigeria, while Mr Dammu Ravi, Additional Secretary (Economic Relations) of India, represented the Indian government. Speaking at the event, Ambassador Umar described the MoUs as significant milestones, highlighting their potential to foster growth, innovation, and sustainable development. He called on stakeholders from both countries to ensure the successful implementation of the agreements and hinted at more collaboration during the upcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Umar underscored the strong historical ties between Nigeria and India, rooted in democracy and pluralism, noting that the partnership has always been based on mutual respect and shared aspirations. He expressed optimism about the future of this relationship, particularly with the anticipated signing of additional agreements during Modi’s visit.
Mr Dammu Ravi praised the longstanding bond between the two nations, noting the positive contributions of over 60,000 Indians residing in Nigeria. He expressed gratitude for the warm reception they have received and emphasised the importance of the new agreements in advancing cooperation across various sectors. Ravi also expressed confidence that the agreements would pave the way for deeper economic and cultural partnerships.
Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, highlighted the vital role of cultural diplomacy in fostering international collaboration. She emphasised the need to build stronger cultural ecosystems in Nigeria, which could amplify the nation’s creative industries on a global scale. Musawa expressed her ministry’s commitment to expanding these collaborations and unlocking the vast potential of cultural exchanges between the two countries.
The signing of these MoUs reflects the enduring friendship between Nigeria and India and is expected to drive growth, innovation, and cultural enrichment in both nations.
