Nigeria’s envoy to India presents credentials, seeks stronger trade ties

The Nigerian High Commissioner to India, Saidu Muhammad, has presented his Letters of Credence to the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, pledging to strengthen economic, trade and investment cooperation between both countries.

According to a post on the official X account of the President of India, the presentation ceremony took place on Monday at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the Indian President in New Delhi.

“President Droupadi Murmu received credentials from Mrs Sitona Abdalla Osman, Ambassador of the Republic of South Sudan; Mr Abdulla Saif Ali Slayem Al Nuaimi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates; Mr Muhammad Saidu Dahiru, High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and Mrs Inga Ionesii, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova, at Rashtrapati Bhavan”, the post read.

In his remarks during the formal presentation of his credentials, Muhammad conveyed the goodwill and best wishes of President Bola Tinubu to Murmu.

The High Commissioner pledged to build on the longstanding bilateral relations between Nigeria and India, with particular emphasis on strengthening economic, trade and investment cooperation.

Muhammad reaffirmed that “Nigeria attaches considerable importance to its relationship with India,” describing his appointment as both a privilege and a responsibility to further advance Nigeria’s interests.

He noted that the relationship between the two countries extended beyond political and diplomatic engagement to encompass substantial economic, commercial, cultural, educational and people-to-people ties.

The envoy also expressed his determination to encourage greater Indian investment in Nigeria, facilitate stronger business-to-business engagement and promote opportunities for Nigerian enterprises to access the Indian market.

In her remarks, Murmu warmly welcomed the Nigerian High Commissioner to India and congratulated him on his appointment.

She emphasised the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and India, noting that the ties between the two countries were founded on “strong historical bonds, mutual respect and shared interests.”

Highlighting the importance of the economic and commercial relationship between both countries, the Indian President noted India’s significant position as a major business and trading partner of Nigeria.

She stressed the “considerable potential for further expansion of trade, investment and economic cooperation” between Nigeria and India.

Murmu also expressed appreciation for the contributions of Indian businesses and investors to Nigeria’s economic development and underscored the need to continue encouraging stronger private-sector engagement between the two countries.

The Indian President expressed confidence that the tenure of Muhammad would contribute positively to the consolidation and further development of Nigeria-India relations and wished him success in the discharge of his responsibilities.