By Chesa Chesa
Nigeria’s High Commissioner-designate to India, Ambassador Saidu Dahiru Muhammad, has arrived in New Delhi to commence his diplomatic assignment.
Muhammad, who arrived in India with his spouse, Mrs Rukayya SD Muhammad, on Thursday, July 23, 2026, was received at the Indira Gandhi International Airport by officials of the Nigerian High Commission, representatives of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, members of the Nigerian community, and several African heads of mission accredited to India.
The envoy later met with staff of the Nigerian High Commission and representatives of the Nigerian community in India, where he pledged to adopt an inclusive leadership approach while working to strengthen relations between Nigeria and India.
Muhammad described his posting to India as a return to a country with which he has maintained a long-standing association.
“This is my eighth visit to India,” he said, recalling that he first visited the country 19 years ago as a young Nigerian diplomat to sit for his first promotion examination.
“Coincidentally, 19 years ago I was here as a young officer writing my first promotion examination overseas. I returned again in 2009 for another promotion examination,” he said.
The ambassador noted that he had subsequently returned to India on several occasions for regional meetings, the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) verification exercise, promotion examinations, and other official engagements.
“I came twice for the regional IPPIS verification exercise, and again for promotion examinations in 2010, 2012 and 2015. Today, by the special grace of Almighty Allah, I have assumed duty here as the substantive Nigerian High Commissioner to the Republic of India,” he said.
Muhammad assured embassy staff and members of the Nigerian community that his tenure would be guided by consultation, engagement and inclusiveness.
“The only thing I can say is that I assure you nobody will be left out in terms of our working relationship,” he said.
Borrowing a phrase from former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he described as a late mentor and father figure, Muhammad added:
“I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.
“So, it all depends on where you are, what you are, who you are, and where you want to go.”
The High Commissioner-designate also urged Nigerians in India to remain optimistic and maintain a strong sense of self-belief. Quoting from the poem The State of Mind, he said:
“Whatever you do in life is dependent on your state of mind.
“If you think you are beaten, you are. If you think you dare not, you don’t. If you would like to win but think you can’t, it is almost certain you won’t.
“If you think you’re outclassed, you are. You’ve got to think high to rise. You’ve got to be sure of yourself before you can ever win a prize. It’s all in your state of mind. Life’s battle doesn’t always go to the stronger or faster man, but the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.”
Muhammad observed that Nigeria and India have enjoyed long-standing cordial relations and expressed his determination to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade and investment.
He said he would work to expand bilateral trade, promote investment opportunities, and help achieve a more favourable balance of trade between both countries.
President of the All India Nigeria-India Students and Community Association (AINSCA), Hilary Okeke, welcomed the ambassador on behalf of Nigerians and Nigerian students in India.
“We pray that God Almighty will give you the strength and wisdom to lead and support us because we are all your children,” Okeke said.
“We are very happy that you are here. We have been expecting you for a very long time. It is our honour to welcome you.”
Okeke also commended officials of the Nigerian High Commission for their continued support to Nigerians living and studying in India.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank all the staff of the Nigerian High Commission who have always been there for us, both students and community members. Whenever we have an issue, their doors are always open to us,” he said.
