| Summary: | The establishment of the Diplomatic House in Nigeria in 1958 (two years prior to
Nigerian independence) by India laid the foundation for what was to become
solid, warm and concrete bilateral relations between India and Nigeria. The
subsequent diplomatic and commercial visits between officials of the two
countries crystallised and concretised their cooperative ties regarding political,
economic and socio-cultural issues. This paper examines the politico-diplomatic,
socio-cultural and economic relations between India and Nigeria. Using a
historical approach, the paper argues that although in economic terms the
balance of trade is in favour of Nigeria due to increasing importation of Nigeria's
crude oil into India, Indian investment activities in Nigeria have exemplified what
might be termed an unequal relationship in which India has an edge over Nigeria.
Nevertheless, in view of the magnitude of the cordial relations between the two
countries, their development potentials and some socio-political and cultural
commonalities, they stand a very good chance of further solidifying and enriching
their interactions with regard to several important issues, such as the
development of democratic institutions and the redefinition of economic relations
between the two states. This, the paper argues, would not only strengthen their
political and economic relations, but also bring mutual benefits.
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