Shettima arrives New Delhi as Nigeria targets Indian investment,

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Nigeria is seeking to deepen its trade relationship with India, attract fresh investment and tap into the Asian country’s expertise in technology and artificial intelligence as Vice President Kashim Shettima arrives in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit.

The renewed push comes against the backdrop of a trade relationship between Nigeria and India that has previously stood at about $14 billion, with the Federal Government now looking to expand economic opportunities beyond the traditional exchange of commodities.

Shettima, who arrived in New Delhi to represent President Bola Tinubu at the summit, is leading a high-level delegation comprising the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Environment, Balarabe Lawal, among others.

Oduwole disclosed ahead of the summit that major investors of Indian origin had indicated interest in meeting the Nigerian delegation, signalling a push by the government to convert Nigeria’s BRICS partnership into concrete investment opportunities. She said Nigeria was also looking to rebuild and expand its energy trade with India, particularly its crude oil exports.

Beyond oil, the Nigerian delegation is targeting opportunities in agriculture, technology, artificial intelligence, digital economy and industrial development, areas the government believes could support economic diversification and creates opportunities for Nigeria’s large youth population.

Foreign Affairs Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu said India’s experience in deploying technology to engage its youthful population was particularly relevant to Nigeria.

At the BRICS summit, Shettima is expected to participate in high-level sessions on global growth, resilience, innovation and sustainable development, as well as hold bilateral meetings with leaders and senior officials of participating countries. The engagements are expected to focus on trade and investment, agriculture, technology, industrial development and other areas of mutual interest, according to the Vice President’s media aide, Stanley Nkwocha.