India’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Abhishek Singh, has formally presented his Letter of Credence to President Bola Tinubu.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Abuja on Friday, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
It says Singh, who has assumed duties, was warmly received by Tinubu, who congratulated him and extended his best wishes to him throughout his tour of duty in Nigeria.
The High Commissioner reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing strategic partnership with Nigeria.
He also expressed confidence in the continued expansion of cooperation between India and Nigeria across key sectors including trade, technology, energy, and development.
The Indian envoy said that he was committed to deepening Indo-Nigerian bilateral relations and advancing shared priorities between both countries in the years ahead.
Police in India registered a criminal case against leaders of Tamil actor Vijay’s political party after a stampede at his rally killed 39 people, a senior police official said yesterday.
The dead included children and more than 50 people were injured in Saturday’s stampede in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, where Vijay was campaigning for his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party ahead of state elections early next year.
Tamil Nadu police filed the case, the first step toward potential charges, “against TVK party senior leaders Bussy Anand, Nirmal Kumar and V.P. Mathiyalagan, and the investigation is under way,” senior police official V. Selvaraj told Reuters.
“TVK originally sought permission for a gathering of 10,000 people, but the actual crowd was more than double,” he said.
Vijay, one of Tamil cinema’s most bankable actors for three decades, has drawn massive crowds since launching his party last year. He said he was “heartbroken” by the stampede in the Karur district, pledging support for the victims’ families.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced compensation of 1 million rupees ($11,300) per family.
The state has appointed a commission led by a retired judge to investigate the cause of the stampede.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X that the incident was “deeply saddening”.
During the rally, footage from local media showed thousands of people surrounding a large campaign vehicle on top of which Vijay was speaking. He was seen throwing water bottles to fainting supporters and calling for police help when the crowd became uncontrollable.
Vijay’s TVK has targeted the state’s ruling party, DMK, and Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG) has commended the strengthening of defence ties between Nigeria and India, describing it as a strategic step towards solving the country’s security challenges.
The group said the renewed bilateral engagement, which covers counter-terrorism training, maritime cooperation, research and development, as well as defence industry investment, is a sign of a forward-thinking administration committed to lasting security reforms.
In a statement signed by its President, Prince Maduka Ezeagu, NDMG said the four-day working visit of Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, to India from August 11 to 14, 2025, marks a new era in Nigeria’s international defence cooperation.
The group lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for pursuing a robust, pragmatic foreign defence policy that places capacity-building, technological transfer, and local production at the centre of national security.
According to the group, the meeting between Dr. Matawalle and India’s Raksha Rajya Mantri, Shri Sanjay Seth, has opened critical avenues for Nigeria to tap into India’s proven military capabilities, from the production of Light Combat Aircraft and Light Combat Helicopters to Offshore Patrol Vessels.
“This partnership is not mere diplomacy for optics; it is a practical step towards closing the gap in our national security architecture,” Ezeagu said.
“With insecurity threatening both urban and rural stability, Nigeria needs international allies who are willing to share technology, offer advanced training, and invest in our defence industry. The India–Nigeria discussions tick all those boxes and reflect the Tinubu administration’s seriousness in delivering sustainable security solutions.”
He noted that India’s defence industry has a track record of delivering affordable, high-quality equipment suited for diverse terrains, making it an ideal partner for Nigeria’s operational environment.
Ezeagu pointed out that with the Federal Government’s focus on revamping local defence manufacturing, this partnership could fast-track Nigeria’s self-reliance in defence technology within the next decade.
The NDMG further applauded Dr. Matawalle’s invitation to Indian defence companies to invest in Nigeria, saying that such initiatives would not only improve the nation’s defence capacity but also create jobs, enhance technical skills, and boost industrial growth.
“What makes this development even more important is that it is happening at a time when Nigeria is repositioning its military strategy to respond to asymmetric threats such as terrorism, banditry, and piracy. By collaborating with a nation like India, which has decades of experience in counter-insurgency, maritime security, and peacekeeping operations, Nigeria stands to gain immensely,” he said.
The group also highlighted the inclusion of joint research and development in the talks, noting that such collaborations will ensure Nigeria is not just a consumer of foreign military technology but also an innovator.
This, they said, aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises modernising the Armed Forces and strengthening institutions tasked with securing the country.
Ezeagu stressed that Nigerians in the diaspora are paying close attention to how the government aligns foreign partnerships with domestic reforms, praising President Tinubu for giving the Defence Ministry both the political backing and operational flexibility to explore high-value global engagements.
“From the perspective of Nigerians abroad, this is exactly the kind of results-driven diplomacy we expect—where state visits translate into tangible benefits for citizens and concrete progress in tackling security challenges,” he said.
“We urge the government to ensure that the follow-up to these agreements is swift, transparent, and measurable in terms of impact on the ground.”
The NDMG urged the Ministry of Defence to establish a joint monitoring framework with its Indian counterpart to ensure timelines and deliverables are met.
They also called for deliberate efforts to involve Nigerian universities, research centres, and local manufacturers in the R&D component of the partnership, ensuring that knowledge transfer is embedded in every stage.
Concluding, Ezeagu reaffirmed the group’s support for the Tinubu administration’s defence policies, expressing confidence that with disciplined execution, the Nigeria–India defence partnership will contribute significantly to restoring peace, deterring threats, and laying the foundation for a secure, economically vibrant nation.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose higher tariffs on India very soon because the country does business with Russia.
“We settled on 25 per cent, but I think I’m going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours, because they’re buying Russian oil,” Trump told U.S. broadcaster CNBC on Tuesday.
“They’re fueling the war machine. And if they’re going to do that, then I’m not going to be happy,” Trump explained.
Nigeria and India have agreed to intensify strategic collaboration on customs enforcement, with a strong focus on tackling trade infractions and curbing the flow of substandard pharmaceutical imports.
The renewed commitment emerged during a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the 92nd Session of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Policy Commission in Brussels, Belgium.
Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, led the Nigerian delegation to the talks with a senior official from India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Mr Surjit Bhujbal.
The session reviewed progress under the Customs Mutual Administrative Agreement (CMAA) signed between both countries in November 2024.
According to Adeniyi, the engagement marked another step toward achieving smarter and more integrated customs systems.
He said: “Today’s dialogue is a continuation of the strong foundations laid during the signing of the CMAA in November 2024.
“We are intensifying efforts to tackle undervaluation, abusive transfer pricing, and to improve system integration between customs and tax authorities. Additionally, our joint actions in curbing the importation of substandard pharmaceuticals yield results and protect public health.”
Both delegations discussed boosting cooperation in customs valuation, enhancing risk-based controls, and launching joint technical missions and training programmes. The CGC emphasised that shared data systems and intelligence-led operations would strengthen revenue collection and improve enforcement outcomes.
“This partnership reflects our vision of a smarter, collaborative, and globally connected customs administration,” he added.
India’s representative, Bhujbal, described Nigeria as a key partner on the African continent and expressed optimism about deepening technical exchanges.
“India regards Nigeria as a crucial partner in Africa. The CMAA has opened a structured channel for mutual assistance, information exchange, and capacity building.
“We are keen to deepen technical cooperation on valuation, combat revenue leakage through transfer pricing schemes, and share our experience integrating customs with tax systems,” Bhujbal stated.
The CMAA was originally signed during the Indian Prime Minister’s state visit to Nigeria in 2024, marking a diplomatic milestone in trade and customs relations between both nations.
Nigeria’s presence at the high-level WCO Policy Commission reflects its commitment to global trade standards and institutional reform in line with international best practices.
…NDLEA intercepts UK techie with large consignment of Loud at MMIA.
…nabs 75-year-old grandpa with skunk in Abia
…destroys over 250,000kg of cannabis in Cross River community
Operatives of a Special Operations Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested two brothers, John Abugu, 43, and Kenneth Abugu, 31, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport MMIA Ikeja, Lagos, with five kilograms of cocaine.
Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, who made this known in a statement on Sunday, disclosed that the drugs were concealed in the walls of their suitcases while attempting to board a flight to India.
According to the statement, the two brothers were arrested at the Lagos airport on Thursday, 3rd April 2025, following the proactive processing of credible intelligence.
Babafemi said they claimed they were travelling to India for medical treatment, but when their suitcases were thoroughly searched by NDLEA officers, whitish powdery substances, later confirmed to be cocaine, were discovered on the walls of their bags.
He said that in a similar development, NDLEA officers of the MMIA Strategic Command same day, Thursday 3rd April, intercepted a 20-year-old Ghanaian–British man, Parker Darren Hazekia Osei, with 36 parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 19.40kg, packed in a giant travelling bag.
The statement reads, “The suspect who claims he is a student of Computer Science at East London University, UK, was arrested during the inward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Bangkok, Thailand, at the E-arrival hall of the Lagos airport.
“In his statement, the techie claims he lives with his parents in the UK but left London about a week ago for Bangkok, where he picked up the illicit drug consignment to deliver in Nigeria.”
The NDLEA Spokesman added that operatives in Kogi state have arrested a 33-year-old lady, Ngozi Ogili, while moving 3 kilograms of methamphetamine from Lagos to Abuja.
She was nabbed in a commercial transport bus along the Okene-Lokoja highway on Monday, 31st March 2025.
A follow-up operation at her point of delivery in the Apo mechanic area of Abuja led to the seizure of quantities of Loud and Colorado, both synthetic strains of cannabis, Babafemi said.
“In Abia state, NDLEA officers on Saturday 5th April arrested a 75-year-old grandpa, Nna Nnanna Felix with 1.6kg skunk, a strain of cannabis during a raid at Umunteke Asa, Ukwa West LGA, while another suspect David Chinemerem, 21, was nabbed with 2,050 ampoules of pentazocine at 7 Nnajiego Lane, Umuode road, Aba on Tuesday 1st April.
“No fewer than 381 bottles of codeine syrup and 108 tablets of tramadol were seized from a suspect, Abdullahi Adamu along Potiskum-Damaturu road, Yobe state by NDLEA operatives on Saturday 5th April, just as raid operations at Osogbo motor park, Onitsha and a house at Oba in Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra state led to the arrest of Obinna Sunday and the seizure of 195,000 pills of tramadol. Also arrested during the raid at the motor park was Ugochukwu Ojalanonye, with 4.2kg of codeine syrup and 5.4kg of pentazocine.
“In the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, NDLEA operatives on Thursday 3rd April arrested 51-year-old Sunday Ayogu with 25kg skunk and 90.4g of methamphetamine during a raid operation at Wuse market Abuja, while two ladies: Faith Effiong Etim, 64, and Victoria Asuquo Etim, 40, were nabbed on Friday 4th April when NDLEA operatives supported by men of the Nigerian Army raided cannabis plantations in Esuk-Odot community, Odukpani LGA of Cross River State where 250,000 kilograms of the psychoactive plant were destroyed on over 100 hectares of farm land.
“With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities, among others in the past week.
“These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Cave City Secondary School, Ogidi, Anambra state; residents of Dan’iyau village, Batagarawa LGA, Katsina; and members of Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers in Sangere and Kwanan Waya, Yola, Adamawa state, among others.
“While commending the officers and men of MMIA, SOU, Yobe, Abia, Kogi, Anambra, Cross River, and FCT Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country, especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts, are well appreciated,” the statement reads.
The National Troupe of Nigeria is an agency of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Creative Economy and Tourism. Its official mandate is to promote and explore Nigeria’s rich cultural elements of dance and stage theatre to their highest height. Recently the Troupe was in India for the 38th edition of the Surajkund International Craft Mela festival. It was a festival where twenty-one different nations of the world were in attendance. The Artistic Director of the Troupe, Hajja Kaltume Gana speaks to Edozie Udeze on the importance of the show.
Ever since its establishment, the National Troupe of Nigeria has remained true and consistent to its calling. And that calling is to always keep afloat Nigeria’s cultural dances and stage performances. Now the Troupe which has almost become Nigeria’s greatest cultural export and ambassadors, which the world has come to appreciate, celebrate and identified with has done it again. Some of the numerous cultural heritages of Nigeria have been made known to the world through the activities of the Troupe.
Not too long ago, the Troupe was lucky to be one of the numerous dance troupes to be invited by the Indian government. It was the 38th edition of the famous Surajkund International Craft Mela festival of 2025. That show was one of the best shows where only world class dance troupes are meant to prove their greatest dexterity on stage. Nigeria was duly invited because of the previous and continuous cultural and dance exploits of the National Troupe of Nigeria. The festival which took place February in Faridabad in India showed how well Hajja Kaltume Gana, the Artistic Director of the Troup has gone to prepare her team for the big show.
In a press statement Gana cleared air on why and how Nigeria became one of the 21 countries invited to the epoch-making event. She said: “Yes, Nigeria was among other 21 countries invited to the festival. The trip offered us the opportunity to be a part of the festival. It was the 38th edition. Indeed we were very happy to be at the festival”. Moreover, it offered the Troupe the best moment to showcase their best dance and other cultural performances and artistry. An elected Gana also commended the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Creative Economy and Tourism for the way and manner it helped to facilitate the trip. “The arrangement was good”, she said simply.
And the Troupe was at its best. The standard of the crafts over there was commendable. As usual, Nigerian artists, members of the National Troupe of Nigeria who have never disappointed the nation in all their trips both home and abroad were said to have outdone other nations that took part in the festival. The ministry did well and so also the Indian embassy in Nigeria. There was also a crafts team that joined the Troupe from Nigeria. So, all together the team was compact, displaying most of the best artistry of Nigerian artists. “So all in all, it was a delegation of twenty people including the troupe and myself and officials of the Ministry. It was good to see the delegation and the Troupe showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural elements at their best”.
So it can safely be said that as a foremost platform for cultural exchange and economic opportunity, the Surajkund Craft Mela is one of the largest cultural fairs in the world, featuring over 1,000 craft stalls, including a dedicated Nigeria pavilion showcasing Nigerian products. The patronage of these products was overwhelming.
Hajja Kaltume Bulama Gana’s direction brought to life a rich diversity of traditional dances from across Nigeria, highlighting the country’s cultural heritage. The well-choreographed performances mesmerized the international audience with performances from across the six geopolitical zones, including Ekombi/Nyok, Sango Bata, Maliki, Egwu Odun, Koroso, and Sharo Each day of the event showcased a unique blend of Nigerian dance, drama, and music, leaving the audience fascinated.
The Nigerian contingent, led by Hajia Zainab Ali-Biu, Director of the International Relations Department at the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, also included some officials from UNESCO
The Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to India, His Excellency Ubong Akpan Johnny, attended the event to support the Nigerian contingent and commended the Indian government for inviting Nigeria.
In a related development, the NTN recently staged a thought-provoking play titled “Tafawa Balewa: The Golden Voice of Nigeria” in partnership with Artswax Communications. The play highlighted the importance of integrity, sacrifice, and leadership in nation-building.
As Nigeria’s apex performing arts agency, the NTN’s participation in the Surajkund International Craft Mela 2025 reinforces its commitment to strengthening cultural diplomacy, promoting Nigeria’s image and interests abroad, and serving as a cultural ambassador for the country.
The Surajkund International Craft Mela has set a promising precedent for Nigeria’s future endeavors in the global cultural and creative economy. As the nation continues to celebrate its heritage and forge international connections, the world can expect even greater contributions from the NTN on the global stage.
Proceedings in India’s parliament were disrupted yesterday as opposition lawmakers protested against the Trump administration’s alleged mistreatment of over 100 Indian migrants who were deported on an American military plane back to the country — apparently in handcuffs and ankle chain.
A U.S. military plane carrying 104 deported Indian migrants arrived in the northern Indian city of Amritsar Wednesday, the first such flight to the country as part of a crackdown on undocumented migrants ordered by the Trump administration.
The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that an Air Force C-17 plane was used for the flight.
Multiple Indian lawmakers alleged yesterday in parliament that the deportees’ arms and legs were shackled during the entire journey, and the legislature was forced to adjourn proceedings as they disrupted the chamber with their chants.
“We are protesting precisely this issue — that the manner in which the U.S. did what they did was really unacceptable,” Shashi Tharoor, a member of parliament with the Indian National Congress, told reporters. “We believe they have a legal right to deport people who are illegally in their country. And if they are proven to be Indian nationals, we have a legal obligation to admit them, to accept them in our country. But the manner in which it was done, in handcuffs, squeezed into a military aircraft, in such an abrupt manner, is not acceptable.”
Daler Singh, one of the deported migrants, was quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying: “Our hands and legs were cuffed throughout… They did not unlock our cuffs even when we ate.”
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks shared a 24-second video Wednesday on social media that appears to show a line of the deportees being led onto a military plane with their legs in chains.
The Federal Government has extolled the government and people of the Republic of India on the country’s 76th Republic Day anniversary celebration.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, described January 26 as a “very important day” in the history of India. Tuggar added in the statement, signed by the acting spokesman of the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, that India commemorates the adoption of its constitution on Jan. 26, 1950.
This, he said, marked the country’s transition to a sovereign republic.
Tuggar congratulated Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, on the journey so far.
Tuggar pointed out that India and Nigeria have witnessed a long history of cooperation and collaboration in various areas.
He added that the countries have equally worked closely on a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing political and economic prosperity.
“Both countries share certain similarities such as multi-religious, multi-lingual and multi-ethnicity societies.
“It is, therefore, a great honour to extend our very sincere wishes to the government and people of India, the largest democracy in the world, on the auspicious occasion of your Republic Day.
“The Government of Nigeria appreciates the excellent relations between our two countries and the efforts we are making to build on these firm foundations for the benefit of our people.
“We, therefore, wish the government and the people of the Republic of India peace, prosperity, progress and Nigeria’s continuing friendship and support,” he said.
Nigeria and India have maintained strong ties and strategic partnerships in global affairs since the establishment of diplomatic relations decades ago.
The areas of cooperation include trade, education, healthcare and technology among others.
The Consul General of India in Lagos, Shri Chandramouli Kumar Kern, announced that efforts will be heightened to enhance the trade relations between India and Nigeria, which are currently valued at $7.89 billion.
During an interview with journalists at a free health camp organised by the Indian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Importers of Nigeria (IPMIN) in collaboration with the Ilupeju Estate Owners and Residents Association, in Lagos,he emphasised that the conducive business environment created by the Federal Government has facilitated the expansion of Indian companies’ investments in diverse sectors such as pharmaceuticals, power, and construction.
He pointed out that there are active military training exchanges and collaborative efforts under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, which allocates 150 slots annually for Nigerian individuals.
He noted that the central goal of the development partnership is to assist Nigeria in its national initiatives aimed at enhancing capacity building and driving technological innovation.
The ITEC programme, as he indicated, was launched in September 1964 and represents a key initiative of the Indian government’s capacity-building strategy.
He stressed the importance of broadening these exchanges to cultivate mutual understanding and a common heritage.
Additionally, he reiterated the Indian government’s commitment to providing high-quality generic pharmaceutical products to Nigeria.
According to Kern, the recent visit of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Nigeria represents a pivotal moment in the diplomatic relations between India and Nigeria.
He asserted that this landmark visit has fortified the bilateral relationship, encouraging deeper cooperation in areas including trade, commerce, and education. Additionally, he pointed out that both countries share similar concerns, attributable to their comparable political frameworks and their positions as significant economies.
A former Chief Press Secretary to Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the first civilian Governor of Lagos State, Prince Bayo Osiyemi, praised the Indian government for its efforts in strengthening bilateral relations through the free healthcare camp organised in Ilupeju.
Osiyemi, who previously served as the Chairman of Ilupeju Estates, highlighted that the initiative has positively impacted hundreds of residents in Ilupeju and its surrounding areas.
The President IPMIN, Mr. Verkay Verghese, stated that the association capitalised on the visit of INS Tushil, the Indian Navy’s latest multi-role stealth guided missile frigate, to deploy its medical team for the free health camp.
He noted that during the ship’s port calls, the team engaged with the Indian diaspora worldwide. Approximately 200 individuals received medical attention from the naval health team during the camp, and beneficiaries were also given free medications.
