Nigeria should expect more Indian investment in Nigeria with the growth in over 200 companies presently operating in the country and increase in the present investment of over $27 billion in the nation’s economy by Indian interest, the Indian government has assured.
Addressing the media on Sunday, 17 November, 2024, in Abuja on the fallout from the visit of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to the country, the Secretary of Economic Relations at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Dammu Ravi, said: “While Indian companies are very strong in the traditional areas of manufacturing in Nigeria, with more than 200 companies having invested $27 billion in the economy here, there are new areas that are being identified, which include, as we discussed, the agriculture part of it, particularly lentils and other things which are being considered as a possibility. Then irrigation services, seed, hybrid seed development, research and development on good seeds, climate-resistant seeds and other things are being considered so that that area can also come into focus between the two countries.
“So we talked about mining, we talked about various issues pertaining to small and medium enterprises, the skill development part of it.
“Already we have some experts who have been training for more than six months in SMEDAN over here, entrepreneurial development skills. And also through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation where we have been sending people to India for skill development, that also came into focus. So we would be considering all these things too, we are diversify the areas of our cooperation in trade and economic relations, as well as to strengthen our trade cooperation.”
He also revealed that India is interested in further investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, stating that: “There was a very good concentration of topic on oil and gas investment. Some Indian companies are already working on the CNG areas, which is the focus area of the President also. There are companies which are working in CNG city-wide network as well as setting up the outlets for CNG over here. CNG kits are being also sent over here so that it can be put in the cars and vehicles to use the CNG.”
He noted that on pharmaceuticals and medicine, there are nearly $4 billion of investment by Indian companies in the pharmaceutical sector here in Nigeria, and there is already existing eye hospitals of India in Abuja and Lagos, as well as another multi-speciality hospital.
He said: “I can also tell you that there is going to be a bigger hospital, a 300-bed hospital that has come up in Abuja, which will be open very shortly with expert doctors and technicians and others from India with modern technology. So that hospital chain would also be expanding itself into other geopolitical areas too.”
He said India, in agreement with Nigeria, looks forward to the reform of the United Nations Security Council, stating that there is urgent need to update the global governance structure to reflect current realities.
He noted that the existing structure, established in 1945, no longer meets the needs of the modern world and that significant changes are required.
Ravi highlighted the shared stance of India and Nigeria in advocating for a more inclusive Security Council, pointing out that both nations represent the interests of the Global South, which remains underrepresented in international decision-making.
He insisted that: “The world has changed significantly since the establishment of the UN, but the Security Council’s structure has not evolved accordingly.
“Nigeria and India are on the same page on the need for reform. We have to keep working on that in different forums to sensitise the countries on the need for our positions.”
The call for reform came as part of a broader effort by developing nations to secure a greater voice in global governance.
Ravi underscored the importance of unity among countries in the Global South, including major players like India and Nigeria, to advocate effectively for changes in the UNSC’s composition.
The UNSC currently has 15 members, including five permanent members with veto power: the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France.
However, despite having 54 member states in the UN, Africa lacks permanent representation.
The US recently proposed expanding the council to include two permanent seats for African countries, with Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt emerging as leading contenders due to their economic and political influence.
According to Ravi, the key to successful reform lies in collective action.
He noted that countries from the Global South, which have experienced significant political and economic growth over the past few decades, should have a more substantial role in international decision-making.
He said, “We need to build this understanding that there is a need for the UN reform and that is the fundamental. The reform is necessary and it has to be done quickly.”
Addressing the question of African representation, Ravi acknowledged that Africa has its own consensus on the need for reform.
However, he pointed out the complexity of aligning the positions of various African nations with those of other countries advocating for change, such as India.
